Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images(SAN FRANSISCO) — San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he has received death threats in response to his protest of racial oppression by kneeling during the national anthem.
Kaepernick said Tuesday that he was threatened over “a couple of different avenues,” and on social media, according to ESPN.
The backup quarterback says he has not reported the threats to his team’s security.
“To me, if something like that were to happen, you’ve proved my point and it will be loud and clear for everyone why it happened and that would move this movement forward at a greater speed than what it is even now,” Kaepernick said. “Granted, I don’t want that to happen, but that’s the realization of what could happen, and I knew there were other things that came along with this when I first stood up and spoke about it. That’s not something I haven’t thought about.”
Kaepernick also commented on the shooting of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday.
“I think it will be very, very telling what happens with the officer that killed him, what happens with [her] because everybody’s eyes will be on [her],” Kaepernick said. “For me, I think one of the things that I’ve noticed throughout this is there’s a lot of racism in this country disguised as patriotism. People want to take everything back to the flag, but that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about racial discrimination, inequalities and injustices that are happening across the nation.”
Other players and teams have joined Kaepernick in his demonstrations by kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem.
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