Colin Kaepernick Opts From Sitting During The National Anthem

Colin Kaepernick will now stand during the national anthem this upcoming NFL season, ESPN reports. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback made it a pivotal point last year to sit, and later kneel during the anthem portion of each game in an effort to get his point across and promote social change. Sources told the news site that he doesn’t want the actual act of boycotting the song to distract the masses from the conversation his movement has since sparked.

READ: Colin Kaepernick Vows To Donate $1 Million To Charities Aimed At Societal Change

Kaepernick will terminate his contract with the 49ers this week, to become a free agent ESPN adds. Yet it’s worth noting that in addition to the protest, which caused several NFL players to follow suit, the Colin Kaepernick Foundation vowed to donate $1 million to organizations that serve underprivileged communities. Additionally, the 49ers also contributed $1 million in donations. Since then, the 29-year-old athlete kept his promise, and donated $100,000 monthly to organizations over a span of 10 months.

READ: Stephen A. Smith Had A Few Words About Colin Kaepernick Deciding Not To Vot

Kaepernick received major support from his teammates, and fellow NFL members. At the stretch of the season, the team awarded him with the Len Eshmont Award, which is the greatest accolade any team member can achieve. The award honors Eshmont, an original player of the 49ers team, who demonstrated great resilience and courage.