Colin Kaepernick continued to draw detractors to his silent protests during the national anthem on Monday, including his former San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh.
Speaking to reporters as his University of Michigan Wolverines prepare for their season opener against Hawaii on Saturday, Jim Harbaugh did not mask his feelings about the situation involving his former NFL quarterback. Giving only a short, candid answer to the question about the hot-button issue surrounding Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh did not back a player that nearly led his San Francisco 49ers teams to a Super Bowl during a stretch of three straight appearances in the NFC Championship game.
“I acknowledge his right to do that, but I don’t respect the motivation or the action.”
Shortly after the press conference, Jim Harbaugh clarified his statements via Twitter. The coach explained that while he disagreed with what Colin Kaepernick had done, he supported his former athlete’s right to protest.
I apologize for misspeaking my true sentiments. To clarify, I support Colin’s motivation. It’s his method of action that I take exception to
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) August 29, 2016
The issue at heart is a silent protest by Colin Kaepernick as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback chose to sit during the playing of the national anthem. Prior to the game Colin Kaepernick explained that he made his stance because he refused to stand for a country that oppresses minorities, ABC News explained.
“To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Both the White House and Donald Trump object to views expressed by Colin Kaepernick https://t.co/cX8YsJtJoz pic.twitter.com/JGpRQvkjIj
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 30, 2016
Perhaps to the dismay of his former coach Jim Harbaugh and numerous other players and coaches around the league, Colin Kaepernick does not plan to stop his protests. The Los Angeles Times reported that the San Francisco 49ers quarterback would continue to stage his protests before the game.
“When there’s significant change — and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way it’s supposed to — I’ll stand.”
While Jim Harbaugh may not have approved of his methods, his current coach — Chip Kelly — has no objections to how Colin Kaepernick acts during the pregame ceremony. In a press conference prior to the San Francisco 49ers preseason game last week, Chip Kelly explained neither he nor the organization would stand in the way of the player’s protest, The Mercury News reported.
“We recognize his right to do that. It’s not my right to tell him not to do something. That’s his right as a citizen.”
The NFL also issued a statement about the Colin Kaepernick situation. Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s vice president of communications, explained in the statement that the signal caller was not violating any league policy by not standing with his team during the playing of the national anthem prior to the San Francisco 49ers game against the Green Bay Packers.
As if I needed another reason to love Colin #Kaepernick ????? pic.twitter.com/xFIaqKPQM1
— Savannah L. Barker (@savannah_lb) August 28, 2016
The issue has been a divisive one between players and fans alike. Even Jim Harbaugh and his brother John — the head coach of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens — cannot fully agree on this issue. John Harbaugh took a more diplomatic approach than his brother Jim did, according to Yahoo! Sports, as he quoted a philosopher in addressing the issue.
“Voltaire so eloquently stated, ‘I may not agree with what you say, but I’ll defend it until death your right to say it.’ That’s a principle that our country is founded on. I don’t think you cannot deny someone the right to speak out or mock or make fun or belittle anybody else’s opinion.”
What do you think about Jim Harbaugh refusing to back Colin Kaepernick during his national anthem protest? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
[Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images]