49ers Promote Message of Unity as Players Kneel for Anthem

Several members of the San Francisco 49ers took a knee and placed their hands over the hearts before the team's first contest since President Donald Trump made comments that reignited national anthem protests across the NFL.The organization also released a statement, indicating that the team hopes its stance before its away game in Arizona would inspire unity. A statement from the players, coaches, ownership and staff of the San Francisco #49erspic.twitter.com/Rs2XCOiUeO— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2017More than one week ago, President Donald Trump suggested that NFL owners should fire players who fail to stand during the national anthem. Those comments and subsequent tweets from the commander in chief prompted hundreds of NFL players to kneel, lock arms, raise their fists, sit or entirely skip the anthem during Week 3 of the season. Similar protests — but not nearly as many — also took place during Week 4.The 49ers did not play during the weekend of Week 3 because they played on the Thursday prior, one day before Trump made his initial comments regarding the anthem.Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the protest movement...