Colin Kaepernick sits out national anthem during 49ers preseason game
By Brad Weiss
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is trying to win a starting job, but he may have lost a lot of fans on Friday.
The San Francisco 49ers took on the Green Bay Packers on Friday night in a Week 3 preseason matchup. Colin Kaepernick is trying to win the team’s starting quarterback job, as he battles with Blaine Gabbert. Prior to the game, Kaepernick had people scratching their heads, as he failed to stand during the national anthem.
After the game, the team acknowledged that he did not stand, and sent out a statement defending Kaepernick’s decision to sit.
“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame ceremony,” a team statement said. “It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”
Incredibly, Kaepernick was not asked about his decision after the game.
Kaepernick was making his preseason debut on Friday, after sitting out most of the preseason with a dead arm. Once considered the team’s quarterback of the future, Kaepernick has been downright bad recently, and the team may go another route. Gabbert is by no means a great player, but Kaepernick may have played his way out of a starting role in San Francisco.
On the night, Kaepernick went 2-for-6 passing, throwing for only 14 yards. He actually had more yards rushing than passing, adding 18 yards on the ground. Not a very good showing for someone who is hoping to once again be the team’s franchise quarterback.
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The reason for him sitting out the national anthem will not be known, as he was not asked why he decided to sit. He does not have a history of doing this in the past, so it will be interesting to see if he issues a statement. One thing is for sure, respecting the anthem of the country you play in should be a no-brainer.