*Before you ask, no, Colin Kaepernick has not converted to Islam. Also, his girlfriend did not persuade him to protest social injustices by not standing for the national anthem. And oh yeah, he also makes a point on Donald Trump, too.
“I have great respect for the religion, know a lot of people that are Muslim and are phenomenal people,” said the San Francisco 49ers’ backup quarterback. “But I think that (rumor of conversion) comes along with people’s fear of this protest, as well as Islamophobia in this country. People are terrified of them to the point where Trump wants to ban all Muslims from coming here, which is ridiculous.”
The former starting QB for the 49ers also addressed reports that he’s been heavily influenced by his (Muslim) girlfriend Nessa Diab, who’s also a radio host.
“The impact is just conversations that we constantly have,” he said. “This is an open discussion that I have with many people, not just my woman. She is Muslim, her family is Muslim, I have great respect for them. I have great respect for people’s right to believe what they want to believe. And I don’t think anybody should be prosecuted for judged based on what their beliefs all.”
Kaepernick spoke on why a lot of other NFL players are not speaking out in support of his decision to protest.
“I think there are a lot of players that feel the same way,” Kaepernick said on Wednesday. “They’re just nervous about consequences that come with it and a lot of them have families to feed, and I think that’s a tragic situation where players aren’t comfortable speaking what’s really on their mind and what’s right because they’re afraid of consequences that come along with it.
“That’s not an ideal for anybody and I think it also speaks to the oppression and culture that we have here where if you don’t fall in line then we’re going to get you out.”
Last Thursday, 49ers safety Eric Reid joined Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem before the 49ers game against the San Diego Chargers. Jeremy Lane, a defensive back with the Seattle Seahawks, sat during the anthem before the Seahawks’ game against the Oakland Raiders.
Kaepernick points out clearly that too many people are completely missing the poit of his protest and focusing on him for protesting instead of WHAT or WHY he’s protesting.
Kaepernick added, “People are getting lost in what the true message is and don’t want to address what it really is and address the issues, and that’s really the problem. I wish people would be as outraged about the murders that are happening in the street as they are the protest.”
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