San Francisco 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick annoyed at least half of America last Friday night when he refused to stand for the Star-Spangled Banner before a pre-season game in Santa Clara.
Kaepernick had for a while been noticeably vocal on social media about the recent spate of killings of African-Americans by police officers.
On Sunday morning, he told the media scrum that they could ask him anything.
I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. 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.
He castigated both Presidential candidates.
I think the two presidential candidates that we currently have also represent the issues that we have in this country right now. You have Hillary [Clinton], who has called black teens or black kids super predators. You have Donald Trump, who is openly racist.
Donald Trump - Presidential candidate, short-fingered vulgarian, talk radio rent-a-mouth - was asked his opinion on Kaepernick's principled (refusal to) stand.
As you might have guessed, his response was gracious, magnanimous and thoughtful.
I think it’s — personally — not a good thing. I think it’s a terrible thing, and you know, maybe he should find a country that works better for him. Let him try. It won’t happen.
QB Colin Kaepernick's anthem snub divides players and fans https://t.co/USM54reH1P
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) August 30, 2016
By contrast, Hillary Clinton, who was also criticised by Kaepernick, has maintained a stately silence.
