San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick joins high school football players' protest, gives pregame speech

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:09 p.m. ET

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Andrew Lynch

Colin Kaepernick's continued protests during the pregame rendition of the national anthem have inspired a number of others, including football players at every level. On Friday, Kaepernick showed his appreciation for some of that support.

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback was in Oakland, California, to join the Castlemont High School football team in its own pregame display. The players laid on the ground, with their hands in the air while Kaepernick took a knee, as he's done since a preseason game against the Chargers. Former NFL player Kirk Morrison captured the scene and shared a photo on Twitter, and you can just make out Kaepernick in the background:

Last week, the Castlemont players took a knee with their fists raised:

Kaepernick also spoke to the team before the game (courtesy of Ben Arnold):

Kaepernick started this preseason by sitting on the bench during the pregame national anthem in a demonstration against racial injustice and police brutality. Kaepernick subsequently met with former Green Beret (and longsnapper) Nate Boyer and changed his protest to kneeling on the field rather than sitting on the sidelines. He was joined by teammate Eric Reid.

The Seattle Seahawks demonstrated in their own way, linking arms in what the team called a pregame display of unity. Since that initial display, WR Doug Baldwin called for all 50 state attorneys general to review the "policies and training procedures" of their police forces. CB Richard Sherman also declined to answer reporters' questions this week, instead using his time at the podium to focus on the latest police killings of African-Americans.

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