Colin Kaepernick explains why he wore pig cop socks to practice

Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colin Kaepernick explains why he decided to wear his pig cop socks to San Francisco 49ers practice on Thursday before his preseason game against San Diego.

Before the biggest game of his life on Thursday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was seen wearing a pair of socks depicting police officers as pigs. Given how people have already crucified him for not standing during the playing of the national anthem at 49ers 2016 preseason games, this political demonstration has the football world beside itself.

Kaepernick took to his Instagram account on Thursday to justify why he though it was a good idea to wear his pig cop socks at 49ers practice. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted out the Instagram post.

Kaepernick said on his Instagram that he wore these socks to protest “the rogue cops that are allowed to hold positions in police departments.” He said that the their actions “not only put the community in danger, but also put the cops that have the right intentions in danger by creating an environment of danger and mistrust.” He ended his Instagram post by saying that he has friends and two uncles that work in police departments.

This protest is perhaps less high profile than his decision to sit during the national anthem, but who knows what the reaction will be like with so many Americans already angry at him.

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Kaepernick’s protests are also taking attention away from what may be the biggest game of his life. If he struggles against the San Diego Chargers in their preseason game on Thursday, that could be the end of Kaepernick’s NFL career. His talent has decayed the last few years and no NFL general manager is going to want to take a chance on an expensive backup quarterback with a political agenda.