On Aug. 26, 2016, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was noticed taking a knee during the national anthem before a preseason matchup against the Green Bay Packers. After the game, Kaepernick revealed that he was making a protest against the treatment of African-Americans. Kaepernick was not the first athlete to make a political statement, or even the first to not to stand during the anthem, yet his decision sparked a wave of controversy that washed across the nation. As taking a knee during the national anthem became a more common sight across the league, it brought more and more media attention.
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