Four years ago today, fans began to notice then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick silently protesting during the national anthem by remaining on the bench rather than standing with the rest of his team. 
When asked about his decision after the game, Kaepernick told the press, ‘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.’
Kaepernick began his silent protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement to highlight the police violence and shootings of Black Americans.
Less than a week later, on September 1 in the 49ers’ final preseason game, Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem, sparked by the police-involved shootings of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott.
Kaepernick said that he spoke with former NFL player and U.S. military veteran Nate Boyer, who supported Kaepernick’s right to peaceful protest and suggested that he kneel rather than sit.
Kaepernick went on to kneel during the anthem prior to every 49ers game that season, sometimes joined by other teammates.
The move sparked nationwide debate over respect for the American flag, members of the military, and the country as a whole, eventually leading to the end of Kaepernick’s football career.
Black Lives Matter leaders, activists, and athletes all said that kneeling was not to disrespect anyone who served, but rather a way to send a message about police violence against Black Americans.
Four years later, Kaepernick’s name and message continue to influence the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for racial justice.
