Colin Kaepernick Takes Knee for National Anthem at ‘Salute to the Military’ Game

Not even an active-duty serviceman singing the national anthem brought Colin Kaepernick to his feet Thursday night in San Diego.

The embattled San Francisco 49ers quarterback took a knee during “The Star Spangled Banner” during a “Salute to the Military” at Quaalcom Stadium. The festivities, scheduled well in advance of the QB’s initial stunt, included a Marine Corps Band and Navy Seals parachuting into the stadium. But Kaepernick refused to bend from his bended-knee stance.

And this time Kaepernick enjoyed solidarity from a teammate. Fourth-year safety Eric Reid, dressed in street clothes, opted to take a knee during the song as well.

In Oakland, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sat on Thursday for the national anthem before a game against the Raiders as well. Lane signed a four-year contract with Seattle before the season.

Despite the boo birds following Kaepernick in the military town, the quarterback fighting for his job performed well after “The Star Spangled Banner” performance. He led his team on a touchdown drive and proved generally accurate in his throwing.

Kaepernick raised eyebrows by wearing a Fidel Castro t-shirt and “pig cop” socks at team activities after first not rising for the national anthem last Friday before a game against the Green Bay Packers in Santa Clara. He directed his ire at police in explaining on Sunday his decision to sit by saying departments reward officers who shoot civilians with paid leave and cops receive less training than cosmetologists.

He claims to hold the military in high esteem.

“I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country,” he insisted Sunday. “I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody.”