Whether you’re football obsessed or consider the sport a total bore, you probably know the name Colin Kaepernick.
The San Francisco 49ers quarterback became the focus of a highly contentious nationwide debate after sitting during the national anthem before the 49ers’ final preseason game in August.
And what started as a largely unnoticed (he also sat during the first two games) silent protest began to pick up steam as Kaepernick continued to sit or kneel — sometimes with teammates by his side — week after week.
As the spotlight on his actions grew hotter, Kaepernick eventually offered an explanation:
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” he told NFL Media. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”
Kaepernick’s decision to kneel created a ripple effect that reached numerous college campuses. African-American student athletes and others mirrored his method of protest before sporting events in the weeks that followed.
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