American football star didn’t get up during the anthem, fans are wearing T-shirts. VIDEO

Фото: Depositphotos

Famous football player Colin Kaepernick defiantly did not stand during the playing of the US national anthem in protest against racism in the country. Fans of the San Francisco 49ers, for whom the quarterback plays, are actively burning T-shirts with his name on the back.

According to "Voice of America"A long-standing American tradition stipulates that before the start of matches in the US sports arenas the country’s anthem sounds, which should be listened to standing as a sign of respect for those who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the country.

In his team's match against the San Diego Chargers, Colin Kaepernick, the son of a white mother and black father, raised by white parents, refused to stand for the anthem, later saying that in this way he was protesting racial inequality in the United States and that he would continue sit until the situation improves.

“I will not stand to show pride in the flag of a country that oppresses blacks and racial minorities. For me, this is more than football, and it would be selfish of me not to notice this,” Kaepernick explained his action.

However, this decision caused outrage from many fans, one of whom even burned a shirt with the name Kapernik, after which others followed his example.

In a comment to journalists, Kapernik recalled numerous cases in which policemen killed African Americans and then avoided responsibility, and said that he would continue to defend the rights of the oppressed.

“Police officers were sent on paid leave for killing people. You can't do that. This is wrong by any standard,” the athlete said.

As the USA Today, 2 more athletes joined Kaepernick’s protest. Among them are his teammate Eric Reid and Jeremy Lane of the Seattle Seahawks.

“I think there's a lot of discussion about this in a lot of NFL locker rooms, as well as across the country. Some of my friends who are not involved in football said that they respected my decision,” says Colin Kaepernick.

Reid and Lane said they would also continue to protest until the situation changed.

The US National Football League (NFL) and the San Francisco team leadership have left his protest without conviction. The League said that the players of the team are urged, but not obliged to get up during the performance of the US anthem.

The team said in a statement: "While respecting American principles of religious freedom and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of individuals to choose whether or not to participate in respect for the national anthem."

In the current football season, Colin Kapernik will earn $ 14,3 million. According to the quarterback, he intends to earn $ 1 million from his income give to charity organizations that work with people in need.

Three years ago, he led his team to the National Football League championship final, but since then his career has declined. Kaepernick said he was willing to accept all “consequences of his protest.”

Read also on ForumDaily:

American swimmer loses sponsors after scandal in Rio

Zimbabwean authorities have denied rumors about the arrest of athletes after the Olympics

The shark attacked an American football player during a lobster hunt. A PHOTO

An athlete from Egypt was sent home for refusing to shake hands with an Israeli

At the Olympics scandal broke out because of the adoptive parents of the American champion

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.