San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick spoke to the media today about the difference in support that he has noticed while traveling with the team this season. According to him, one location where he received a lot of support was in Atlanta for the 49ers' game this past Sunday. Kaepernick said that the differences that he has experienced in each location reflected on that region's views on equality.
Of course, Kaepernick is continuing his protest by kneeling for the national anthem prior to games. He is protesting what he calls "unjust" actions by this country.
"I think that's something to me that was very evident depending on where we're playing," Kaepernick said. "Atlanta was somewhere where I had a lot of support, a lot of people saying they agree with what I'm doing, support it and are happy that I did it and to keep going and to stay strong. And there's other places where the fans don't agree as much. Buffalo, in particular, was one where that was very evident.
"So, it shows the different cultures and different beliefs throughout this country and it also makes it very evident that there's a difference in perspective between white America and black America."
#49ers Colin Kaepernick says his reception at different stadiums across America has varied and reflected region's views on equality pic.twitter.com/3cLc0wOaiZ
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 20, 2016
Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area asked if he could tell the difference outside of the stadium in Atlanta as well. "No, I don't move around too much when we're there," Kaepernick replied. "But, as far as the hotel staff, the people that are around, a lot of support and a lot of people making sure they went out of their way to say that they did support it, which means a lot. I hope those people and people that support it use their voices more and more and speak out more and more to try to help create change."
Kaepernick said that what he heard and saw in Buffalo made it clear that the fans there did not support his cause. "It was very evident that this was something that they don't agree with, which, to me, I don't understand," Kaepernick said.
Kaepernick was also asked about the teammates that have joined him during his protest. He was asked if it was meaningful to have guys like LB Eli Harold and S Eric Reid join him. "Yeah, it's very impactful and I think they are people who have very strong character," Kaepernick answered. "And to have the ability to really recognize what's going on, how it not only affects them, but it affects their families and affects other people that look like them is something that's very powerful and I'm very happy to have teammates like that, that have that type of character, that have those type of ethics and humanity."
What kind of reception can he expect from the Los Angeles crowd when the 49ers play the Rams on Christmas Eve? "I'm not too sure," Kaepernick answered. "It'll depend on the crowd that's there that day. So, we'll wait and see."
