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After news hit that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday — citing the “oppression” of black people in America — other NFL figures weighed in on the controversy.
Zoom-in of @jenniferleechan photo during national anthem that shows Colin Kaepernick sitting on the bench. #49ers pic.twitter.com/c6F10yIIRE
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 27, 2016
From New York Giants offensive lineman Justin Pugh:
I will be STANDING during the National Anthem tonight. Thank you to ALL (Gender,Race,Religion)that put your lives on the line for that flag
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) August 27, 2016
Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert posted an Instragram photo to get his point across:
A photo posted by Tyler Eifert (@tylereifert) on
Free agent quarterback T.J. Yates:
It blows my mind how many people hate the country they live in.
— T.J. Yates (@TJ_Yates) August 27, 2016
Another signal caller, Matt Hasselbeck:
Easy way to make sure you're NOT the starting QB on opening day. #Sept11 https://t.co/DyQrIOGGO5
— Matthew Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) August 27, 2016
The recently retired Tyler Polumbus:
Activists changed USA for better but have to associate Nat Anthem w/ military that die for ur right to protest. Stand up. Find another way
— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) August 27, 2016
But CBS Sports noted that there "seems to be a divide between races over what [Kaepernick] did, something that free agent linebacker Emmanuel Acho pointed out on Twitter."
Not condoning it, but You'll be hard pressed to find an African American that chastises @Kaepernick7 for his actions https://t.co/8VOAVc6ltJ
— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) August 27, 2016
Other black players expressed similar views:
Kapernick is well within his rights to do what he did. I'm not saying I agree but I do understand why he felt morally obligated in his acts.
— Russell Okung (@RussellOkung) August 27, 2016
the flag represents freedom. the freedom to choose to stand or not. that's what makes this country beautiful. ... https://t.co/Ev5D9ACe78
— Feeno (@ArianFoster) August 27, 2016
he has the right to choose not to stand. just as you have the right to disagree with his stance. round and round we go.
— Feeno (@ArianFoster) August 27, 2016
Foster noted Yates' critique of Kaepernick in the following tweet:
a protest isn't disrespect. RT @TJ_Yates: @ArianFoster interesting how he is disrespecting the same country ... https://t.co/j6Y17i55nK
— Feeno (@ArianFoster) August 27, 2016
(H/T: Young Conservatives)
