Colin Kaepernick stood by his plan not to stand for the national anthem at Thursday’s NFL game. It was “Salute to the Military Night” at the 49ers-Chargers game in San Diego — which made his move all the more pronounced.
Instead, he took a knee.
“I’m not anti-American. I love America. I love people.”
Earlier in the afternoon, Kaepernick had a 90-minute discussion with Nate Boyer, former Army Green Beret and long-snapper, and safety Eric Reid at the team hotel, as ESPN reported — and Kaepernick decided to make an effort to be more respectful.
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“As we talked about it, we came up with taking a knee because there are issues that still need to be addressed and there was also a way to show more respect for the men and women that fight for this country,” Kaepernick said.
Reid, 24, is the 49ers’ representative for the players union and has supported Kaepernick throughout the week. He knelt beside Kaepernick.
During the 49ers’ first possession on the field, fans in the military town booed Kaepernick loudly.
The QB attempted to show more respect as he applauded veterans and active military during a break with Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” playing and stood for a rendition of “God Bless America,” clapping at the end of that, too.
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“Once again, I’m not anti-American,” Kaepernick told the press. “I love America. I love people. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make America better. I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from.”
After the game, Kaepernick announced plans to donate the first $1 million he makes this year to help communities in need as part of his plan to take a more active role in combating racial inequality.
“It was something I was thinking about to try to make sure that I’m not just talking about something but I’m actively being involved and actively trying to make a change in these communities and I’ve been very blessed to be in this position and be able to make the kind of money I do and I have to help these people,” Kaepernick said.
“I have to help these communities. It’s not right that they’re not put in the position to succeed or given those opportunities to succeed.”
The 49ers wound up beating the Chargers 31-21.
Related: Why the NFL Should Bench Kaepernick
Meanwhile, as Kaepernick seems to moving more towards positive actions with regard to his anthem protest, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane has taken a page from the Kaepernick playbook — he sat during the national anthem before his Thursday game against the Oakland Raiders.
“It’s something I plan to keep on doing until justice is being served,” Lane told reporters after the game.
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