Colin Kaepernick Promises To Donate $1 Million To Charities That Support Racial Equality

BYKyle Rooney92 Views
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"I have to help these people. I have to help these communities."

Colin Kaepernick is willing to do more than just sit down (or kneel) during the National Anthem in order to support his call for racial equality.

After last night's final preseason game, Kaepernick told the media that he plans to "take it a step further" by donating the first $1 million he makes this year to two different charities that support racial equality. 

Prior to the game, Kaepernick and teammate, Eric Reid, opted to kneel during the National Anthem, and both stood at attention during the singing of "God Bless America" in the third quarter. He addressed the reasoning for that as well during his post-game press conference.

"I've been very blessed to be in this position and to be able to make the kind of money I do," Kaepernick said. "And I have to help these people. I have to help these communities. It's not right that they're not put in a position to succeed or given those opportunities to succeed."

"As far as taking a knee tonight, Eric [Reid] -- as well as myself -- had a long conversation with Nate Boyer, who is a military vet," Kaepernick said. "And we were talking to him about, 'How can we get the message back on track? And not take away from the military. ... But keep the focus on what the issues really are.'

"As we talked about it, we came up with taking a knee, because there are issues that still need to be addressed. And it was also a way to try to show more respect to the men and women that fight for this country."

The 49ers will open up their season at home on Monday night, September 12th, against the LA Rams. 

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