On Friday at Levi's Stadium, prior to a loss to the Green Bay Packers, the football player kneeled down in protest on the killings and harassments aimed at colored people and other minorities.
"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," said Kaepernick to the NFL media during a post-game interview.
He also reiterated that what he is doing is bigger than football while adding that looking the other way would make him selfish.
Niners coach Chip Kelly has said that Kaepernick's move is his right as a citizen.
In a statement, the 49ers pointed out that the American anthem will always be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. However, the liberties contained therein for the country's people also signify respect for an individual's freedom of expression.
The NFL has released a comment, saying that players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.
By taking a stand, Kaepernick has joined NBA's Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James including several WNBA players in using their statures to raise awareness on issues affecting American minorities.
The quarterback fully knows that what he did can trigger a backlash as what Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets experienced when he also refused to acknowledge the flag.
A week after his initial act, Kaepernick has announced that he will be donating a million dollars throughout the year to groups affected by racial inequality and police brutality. On Monday, President Barack Obama cautiously praised the football player for making a stand.
He has continued his protest on Thursday against the San Diego Padres. This time though, teammate Eric Reid joined him on one knee. Elsewhere, Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane has followed suit in a game against the Oakland Raiders as did Megan Rapinoe of the National Women's Soccer League.
Sales of Kaepernick's jerseys skyrocketed over the week following the quarterback's protest action. As of Sunday, his $99 uniform is the top seller among current players on the 49ers online store and ranks fifth overall on the NFL's retail list.
Despite a flurry of criticisms from NFL executives, fans and the police unions, Kaepernick's action has been gaining support.
