San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick: Photos of 49ers Quarterback's Protest

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has returned to the spotlight for his kneel-down actions during the national anthem. Niner Noise takes a look at Kap’s protest against racial injustice and bigotry.

The San Francisco 49ers may not be winning much in 2016, but quarterback Colin Kaepernick is bringing light upon the issues of racial injustice and bigotry facing the nation.

What started out as a nearly unnoticed action on Kaepernick’s part has turned into a nationwide discussion.

Kaepernick’s actions and subsequent reactions have garnered support and criticism from people inside the NFL and out. Teammates and players around the league have joined in. But fans, analysts and celebrities across the country have had differing opinions.

Some of those opinions have culminated in death threats, to which Kaepernick said would have “proved” his point.

No In-Editor Preview for SI Videos

While a difference in opinion is to be expected, let us hope such extreme actions are nothing more than cowardly talk.

Regardless, join us as we look at photos from Kaepernick’s protest and try to put it into perspective.

The Photo that Started It All

Jennifer Lee Chan of SB Nation took this photo of pregame ceremonies before the 49ers preseason game versus the Green Bay Packers.

Colin Kaepernick can be seen sitting between the two water bottles towards the center of the bench.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) walks through the tunnel to the field before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Back in the Spotlight

Colin Kaepernick suddenly burst back into the national spotlight and was one of the biggest topics, drawing attention from President Obama, NBA MVP Stephen Curry and even Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Aug 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warms up during the training camp at Kezar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Choose Your Socks Carefully

Photos from the 49ers’ open practice at Kezar Stadium also flooded the media. These revealed Colin Kaepernick wearing socks, which depicted police officers as pigs.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; A San Diego Chargers fan holds up a sign in reference to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) before the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Fans Don’t Necessarily Agree with Kap

Not everyone felt Colin Kaepernick’s message was delivered in the right way. Fans in San Diego were quick to boo Kaepernick during the Niners’ final preseason game of 2016.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; A San Diego Chargers fan holds up a sign in reference to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) during the first half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; A San Diego Chargers fan holds up a sign in reference to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) during the first half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; A San Francisco 49ers fan holds up a sign in reference to quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

A Slight to Veterans?

Many viewed Colin Kaepernick’s protest during the national anthem as an outright disrespect to veterans and law enforcement.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) fan holds a sign after the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Fan Support

Yet not all fans across the league viewed Colin Kaepernick’s protest as a sign of disrespect to the military. Many felt it was a message that needed to be heard.

Oct 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Devin Huffines (37) and long snapper Nate Boyer (37) run on the field with American flags before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma beat Texas 31-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Boyer a Voice of Reason

Nate Boyer, a current NFL free agent who gained notoriety after serving in the US Army and joining the Seattle Seahawks, offered his support to Colin Kaepernick in an open letter.

And it was Boyer who convinced Kaepernick to take a knee instead of sitting down.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (right) talks to media after the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

A Constant Media Presence

Few backup quarterbacks have ever garnered the attention Colin Kaepernick is getting right now. And yet Kap has continued to stress his message, while also stressing the movement is not to slight the military.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and teammate 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) kneel during the playing of the national anthem before a NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Other Teammates Join In

Colin Kaepernick wasn’t alone in his protests, and 49ers safety Eric Reid was one of the first teammates to openly support his quarterback.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) kneels during the national anthem before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Other NFL Players Join In

Protests weren’t just limited to the 49ers. Other NFL players also joined in, including Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall.

One team, the Seattle Seahawks, joined arms together during the national anthem.

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (left) and Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) talk following a 37-18 Seattle victory at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Players Continue to Support Kaepernick

One player who has openly supported Colin Kaepernick is Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, who was seen speaking with Kap after the Niners’ Week 3 game in Seattle.

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) take a knee during the national anthem before kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Protest Will Continue

Colin Kaepernick’s protest has gone through multiple preseason and regular-season games. And the message he tried to convey has become a topic of national discussion.

Agree or disagree, one cannot argue the movement has been effective.

More from Niner Noise

Here we are still talking about it. And that’s a much-needed thing.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from San Francisco 49ers Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

San Francisco 49ers

National Football League