San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick explains why he wore anti-police socks at practice

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:24 p.m. ET

Pete Blackburn

Colin Kaepernick has dominated the NFL's preseason headlines ever since he silently protested by sitting during the national anthem prior to a preseason game last week. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback elected to remain seated to "stand with the people that are being oppressed" in the United States.

It was a decision that has been hot-button and controversial topic among sports media and the general public in the days since. While the debates surrounding that decision are still going strong, photos of Kaepernick wearing socks depicting police officers as pigs during a practice several weeks ago began circulating Thursday.

Colin Kaepernick is now wearing socks depicting the police as pigs. pic.twitter.com/C1D809YSR2
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 1, 2016

Not surprisingly, the photos generated quite a lot of buzz, picking up enough traction that Kaepernick felt compelled to release a statement explaining why he had worn them.

The executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations — one of the largest police coalitions in the country — also issued a statement that slammed Kaepernick for "dishonoring" police officers.