Colin Kaepernick's name hasn't left the news cycle since reporters caught on to his protest of the National Anthem during last week's San Francisco 49'ers pre-season game, with reactions from around the league and hashtag movements from fans and military veterans trending daily. On Thursday, September 1, fuel was added to the fire for many who had already viewed his act as dishonorable, particularly those in law enforcement, after a photo of Kaepernick wearing a pair of socks designed with police depicted as pigs began to make headlines.
Kaepernick had already drawn the ire of a wave of police who snapped back for his comparing their degree of training to that of a cosmetologist, if not for what some took as an overall indictment of their profession as racist. He didn't mend any bridges with his choice of apparel, and the executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, Bill Johnson, let him know. He also shared a bit of his discontent with the NFL, stating, "It's just ridiculous that the same league that prohibits the Dallas Cowboys football club from honoring the slain officers in their community with their uniforms stands silent when Kaepernick is dishonoring police officers with what he's wearing on the field."
In a statement responding to the uproar Thursday's photo has caused, Kaepernick explained that he's been wearing the socks for weeks "because the rogue cops that are allowed to hold positions in police departments, not only put the community in danger, but also put the cops that have the right intentions in danger by creating an environment of tension and mistrust." He then pointed out, as was referenced in last weeks statement, that he has uncles and friends who are officers, before suggesting that he wanted to come forward and speak on the socks it took the public's focus off of his intention. "So before these socks, which were worn before I took my public stance, are used to distract from the real issues, I wanted to address this immediately," he said.
It was announced by coach Chip Kelly that Kaepernick will start what will be San Francisco's first game since the controversy sparked when they meet in San Diego Chargers to face the Chargers at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday night. The nation is anticipating what the reaction from the crowd will be, especially considering the patriotic fervor that is likely to ensue as the game happens to land on the Chargers' 28th Annual Salute to the Military celebration.
Source: nfl.com
