Twitter’s reaction to 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s sitting out the national anthem
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made national headlines when he refused to stand for the national anthem before Friday night’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers because he believes the United States oppresses African Americans and other minorities.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Saturday that “players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.”
Here’s what people on Twitter had to say about Kaepernick’s stance:
Kaepernick not standing for National Anthem: I respect Freedom of choice but if he really wants to take a stand? Give back his NFL salary!!!
— Gary Radnich (@KRON4GRadnich) August 27, 2016
I'm OK w/arguing that Kaepernick is in some way ignoring those fighting for our freedoms. But also OK saying he's exercising those freedoms
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) August 27, 2016
Since he isn't talented enough to get attention on the field, @Kaepernick7 is becoming a clown off the field... pic.twitter.com/GpJ5gW6UNj
— Matt Bevin (@MattBevin) August 28, 2016
Colin Kaepernick doesn’t hold back pic.twitter.com/bG9ETwgayL
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 27, 2016
$61m guaranteed... Very oppressed #ColinKaepernick
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) August 27, 2016
"Who is: Colin Kaepernick?"#JeopardySports #49ers pic.twitter.com/MXuZhKTKBI
— Jeopardy! Sports (@JeopardySports) August 27, 2016
.@Kaepernick7 stand up, put your hand over your heart, and respect those who've sacrificed so much so you can exist.
— ryan theriot (@rtheriot7) August 27, 2016
By the way, Colin Kaepernick will pay more than $4.7 million this year in taxes to the United States Treasury.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 27, 2016
Funny that Kaepernick expects backlash for not standing for the anthem. When MLB, NFL, others moved anthem to sell more ADS -no real protest
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) August 27, 2016
“Oh, @Kaepernick7. Noble thought. Wrong place." via @AlSaracevic https://t.co/NSiKECKlBz pic.twitter.com/wa5nbuK7rF
— SFChronicle (@sfchronicle) August 27, 2016
Only the 49ers could escape a quarterback controversy only to have a quarterback get into a tedious patriotism controversy.
— Ray Ratto (@RattoCSN) August 27, 2016
I've seen several folks refer to Colin Kaepernick as a "hypocrite" but can someone explain why?
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) August 28, 2016
Hey @Kaepernick7 so many probs to solve in this ever evolving demo experiment and ur gonna help by disrespecting the flag #GrowUpYoungMan
— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) August 28, 2016
We ask our athletes to speak up. Then, when they do, we tell them to shut up. https://t.co/9aUQS550kj
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) August 27, 2016
Compiled by Stu Rosenberg
This story was originally published August 27, 2016 at 7:49 PM with the headline "Twitter’s reaction to 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s sitting out the national anthem."