During the final preseason game 49ers vs Chargers the quarterback from the 49ers Colin Kaepernick decided to take a sit during the national anthem. The White House defended the quarterbacks right to protest what he says is a flag "for a country that oppresses black people and people of color." Kaepernick has said that he himself has personally experienced racism by police. That includes being pulled over while driving and, while studying at the University of Nevada, having officers come into his house with guns drawn all because Kaepernick and his friends were helping there white roommate move out and they were the only two black males in the room at the time. African Americans athletes have long grappled with complicated feelings about patriotism
