Home Crowd Boos Colin Kaepernick, Chants ‘USA!’

The San Francisco 49ers gave the Levi’s Stadium faithful a victory. And then the home crowd gave Colin Kaepernick treatment normally reserved for opposing quarterbacks.

Blaine Gabbert and a stout defense led the 49ers to a 28-0 shutout over the Los Angeles Rams in the San Francisco season opener. Kaepernick sat on the bench after taking a knee for the national anthem. But shortly before the second half’s two-minute warning, the backup lined up under center like he used to.

The crowd remaining at Levi’s Stadium booed Colin Kaepernick and chanted “USA! USA!” The QB who led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in his second season handed the ball off here three times in limited action while hearing the displeasure of his team’s fans.

ESPN characterized the fan response to Kaepernick in Santa Clara as warm prior to kickoff. Monday Night Football cameras showed him smiling for spectator selfies and signing hats and jerseys before the game.

For the third time since training camp opened Kaepernick refused to rise for the national anthem on Monday. Eric Reid, a safety who took a knee with the quarterback during the national anthem before the last preseason game, joined Kaepernick’s protest once again on Monday night. Two players for each team also held up black-power fists as “The Star Spangled Banner” played and a football-field-sized flag covered the gridiron.

The San Francisco 49ers travel to North Carolina, home to Fort Bragg, Camp Lejune, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and other military installations, to take on the Panthers this Sunday afternoon.