Fansided

NFL comments on Colin Kaepernick national anthem protest

By John Buhler

January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) walks on the bench against the St. Louis Rams before the game at Levi
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) walks on the bench against the St. Louis Rams before the game at Levi /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NFL made a concise statement on its stance regarding players standing up for the national anthem on the heels of the Colin Kaepernick situation Friday.

The NFL has weighed in on Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit for the playing of the national anthem prior to Friday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the NFL’s statement was short and to the point, saying exactly the right thing it needed to avoid another public relations fiasco: “Players are encouraged, but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.”

Kaepernick has chosen to not stand for the 49ers’ first three preseason games in 2016. It went unnoticed in the first two largely because Kaepernick did not dress for either preseason game. Friday was his first time playing this preseason for the 49ers, underwhelming when he was on the field.

The 49ers organization, many of the players in the league, and now the league itself respect Kaepernick’s decision to not stand for the national anthem on account of his personal beliefs. He has been met with a great deal of scrutiny that has completely overshadowed his lackluster play at quarterback.

He’s been losing the 49ers starting quarterback battle with incumbent Blaine Gabbert for most of the preseason. Completing only two of six passes on Friday won’t help Kaepernick usurp Gabbert on the 49ers quarterback depth chart.

With Thad Lewis on IR, the two other quarterbacks competing for jobs with San Francisco besides Gabbert and Kaepernick are veteran Christian Ponder and rookie Jeff Driskel. Ponder joined the team to replace the injured Lewis. San Francisco has liked what it has seen out of Driskel so far as a rookie.

Next: Every NFL Team's Biggest Draft Whiff Of All-Time

With Kaepernick failing to impress in new head coach Chip Kelly’s offense, Gabbert is certain to win the starting job. Should the 49ers cut Kaepernick this preseason, San Francisco will be alright with Ponder as the No. 2 and Driskel on the practice squad as the No. 3.