B/R - After kneeling during the playing of the national anthem throughout the 2016 season, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will reportedly resume standing in 2017.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, sources said Kaepernick will stand to avoid detracting from progress he believes has been made and the awareness brought to the issue of social inequality.
Kaepernick's protest began during the 2016 preseason, and he explained his decision to NFL.com's Steve Wyche: "I am 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."
Colin Kaepernick has decided to stand. Odd timing with his exit in San Francisco and sudden reliance on public image to negotiate contract demands.
Odd.
Timing.
Indeed.