The Colin Kaepernick story isn’t going to change anytime soon, says the quarterback himself. The 49ers quarterback has come under intense fire since he publicly stated that he sat through the national anthem prior to a preseason game Friday as an act of protest.
Here’s what he said two days ago:
"I’m not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. 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."
Here's what he said Sunday during nearly 18 minutes of questions.
Kaepernick said he will continue to sit during the national anthem until he sees “significant change.”
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“I’ll continue to sit... I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change, and when there’s significant change — and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way it’s supposed to — I’ll stand,” he said.
“There are a lot things that are going on that are unjust,” he continued. “People aren’t being held accountable for. And that’s something that needs to change. That’s something that this country stands for freedom, liberty and justice for all. And it’s not happening for all right now.”
Kaepernick then said that his opinions are not meant to disrespect the military.
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“I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country,” he said. “I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening.
“People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody. That’s something that’s not happening,” he went on. “I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought have for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for, on our land. That’s not right.”
When asked about the backlash he’s receiving or may receive due to his protest, Kaepernick said, “At the end of the day, if something happens, that’s only proving my point.”
Read all of Kaepernick's answers here.
