colin kaepernick

Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, earlier this month.

NFL And Players Meet, But Punt On Anthem Controversy

5:00pm October 18, 2017

by Scott Neuman

There were hopes that an NFL meeting would bring some clarity in the league's policy that says players "should" stand during the traditional pregame performance of 'The Star-Spangled Banner."

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (middle) knelt on the sidelines during the national anthem to protest what he saw as the oppression of African-Americans in the United States.

Ex-Green Beret And NFL Player On His Role In, Reaction To Anthem Protests

3:44am October 18, 2017

by Kelly McEvers

When Nate Boyer saw Colin Kaepernick sit during the national anthem, he got mad, and wrote a letter that led to a discussion. Now as more athletes are kneeling, he has a new letter to all Americans.

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San Francisco 49ers Eric Reid (35) and Colin Kaepernick (7) take a knee during the National Anthem prior to their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, in Santa Clara, CA.

Kaepernick Files Grievance Saying NFL, Owners Conspired To Shut Him Out

3:07am October 16, 2017

by Scott Neuman

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback says the league and team owners colluded to shut him out of a contract over his pregame protests during the national anthem.

Then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem in a game against the Dallas Cowboys last year.

Sports

We Want Your Questions On Activism In Sports

9:14am October 11, 2017

by Laura Roman

We want to hear from you. What do you want to know about the intersection of sports and activism? Tell us your questions.

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Vice President Pence and his wife, Karen, stand for the national anthem before Sunday's game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers in Indianapolis.

Mike Pence Takes A Stand (And Walks Away) After NFL Players Kneel

6:24pm October 08, 2017

by Vanessa Romo

An offended Vice President Pence left a football game between the Colts and the San Francisco 49ers and condemned kneeling players, saying he would not "dignify" the event.

Kate McKinnon as Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Alec Baldwin as President Trump in the opening sketch of the 43rd season premiere of Saturday Night Live.

Music & Culture

On 'SNL,' Jay-Z Wears A Kaepernick Jersey And Alec Baldwin's Trump Is Back

5:22pm October 01, 2017

by Linda Holmes

The 43rd season of NBC's Saturday Night Live kicked off, unsurprisingly, with Alec Baldwin's impression of the president. But its sharpest political moments lay elsewhere.

Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks has accused the Las Vegas police of using excessive force against him last month.

NFL's Michael Bennett Says Las Vegas Cop Threatened To Shoot Him In The Head

6:58pm September 06, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

The Seahawks star says he felt helpless, lying handcuffed on the ground "facing the real-life threat of being killed. All I could think of was 'I'm going to die for no other reason than I am black.' "

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Calls Colin Kaepernick's Concerns 'Very Admirable'

1:33pm September 02, 2016

by NPR Staff

The basketball legend weighs in on the 49ers quarterback, who has decided not to stand when the national anthem is played before games.

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My Father Stood For The Anthem, For The Same Reason That Colin Kaepernick Sits

6:13pm August 31, 2016

by Keith Woods

As a child, I found my father's love of the national anthem utterly bewildering. His was the generation of men born free but shackled by bigotry. So why did he sound so proud, singing that song?