The spotlight does not usually focus on many NFL backup quarterbacks, yet the San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick is now in the center of the limelight.

  Kaepernick’s kneeling during the national anthem has taken the country by storm after he first knelt before the 49ers preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

  Speaking to ESPN reporters after the game, Kaepernick said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.

  ”Kaepernick later added, “To me, this [movement] 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 to leave and getting away with murder.”

  A week later, Mike Oppong, a junior from Doherty High School knelt during the national anthem during their school’s varsity football game. Doherty High originally suspended Oppong, but has since let go of his suspension.

  Senior football captain Charlie Auditore spoke on the issue:

“I fully understand the right to protest and glad they’re doing it peacefully; however, I disagree with this protest because I believe that this issue is only further dividing our nation in a brutal race war.”

  Other senior football captain David White said, “I believe it’s his right to exercise his freedom of speech, but I don’t agree with the method. It’s disrespectful to the people who protect this nation and the nation itself.”

  Kaepernick has said that he is receiving death threats from his protest, and reported to ESPN that if something were to happen, it would prove his point.

  “It’ll be loud and clear for everyone why it happened, and that would move this movement forward at a greater speed than what it is even now.”