Colin Kaepernick didn't take a seat for the national anthem Thursday night, but he wasn't standing either. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback chose to kneel while the anthem played, and this time he wasn't alone.
San Francisco safety Eric Reid, a fourth-year player out of LSU, also took a knee on the sideline in San Diego, joining Kaepernick in a show of support for the quarterback's protest as the crowd booed ahead of the preseason finale between the 49ers and Chargers.
It was the fourth time in four games Kaepernick did not stand during the anthem, although Thursday's game was under a larger magnifying glass after comments made following last Friday's game that drew the ire of many and sparked a heated national debate. (He was not in uniform for the first two games.)
"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media after last Friday's game against the Green Bay Packers. "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."
It wasn't just the two San Francisco players choosing not to stand this week. Seattle cornerback Jeremy Lane also remained sitting during the playing of the anthem in Oakland, although it has not been confirmed if his actions were in solidarity with Kaepernick or for other reasons.