Kaepernick plans to sit out national anthem again — on ‘Military Night’

An NFL quarterback facing controversy for not standing up during the national anthem at football games plans to continue his protest on a night intended to honor the military. 

{mosads}San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick won’t stand up for the national anthem before Thursday’s preseason game against the San Diego Chargers to protest police brutality toward minorities in the U.S. 

The game, billed as Military Night, is a tribute to the “hundreds of thousands of current and retired military personnel who live and work in San Diego,” according to the San Diego Chargers website.

Kaepernick has been enveloped in controversy since reporters noticed he didn’t stand up for the anthem before a game last week.

“When there’s significant change, and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent in this country, I’ll stand,” Kaepernick said Sunday, according to ABC. 

Some have perceived it as a slight against the military, though the quarterback has said that’s not his intention. 

“I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country,” Kaepernick said of the criticism, according to ABC News.

“I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up.”

Kaepernick’s decision has caught the attention of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who said he should “find a new country that works better for him.” 

Some on Twitter have also pointed out that Kaepernick over the past few weeks has worn socks that show a pig wearing a cop’s hat.