San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick again refused to stand during the national anthem on Thursday night in San Diego, but this time, he was not alone.
As the “Star Spangled Banner” was sung by a Navy officer before the NFL exhibition game between the 49ers and Chargers, Kaepernick and 49ers safety Eric Reid both knelt on one knee on the sideline. Meanwhile, in Oakland, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane also sat out the anthem before his team’s game against the Raiders.
Kaepernick, the 49ers quarterback, said the reason he refuses to stand for the national anthem has been distorted. He also said he will donate $1 million to groups that help people affected by the issues he is trying to spotlight such as racial inequality and police brutality with his continued protest.
Kaepernick vowed to continue sitting during the national anthem until he was satisfied with the changes made toward ending racial oppression in the United States.
But after a roughly 90-minute discussion with Nate Boyer, the former Army Green Beret and long-snapper, and safety Eric Reid at the team hotel on Thursday afternoon, Kaepernick shifted gears in an effort to be more respectful to those offended by his protest.
So when the national anthem began playing Thursday night at Qualcomm Stadium, Kaepernick and Reid took a knee while Boyer stood next to them.
