On Aug. 26, 2016, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick explained for the first time his reasoning for refusing to stand during the national anthem.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”
On Aug. 26, 2020, the NBA postponed three scheduled playoff games after it became obvious players didn’t feel like playing after a Black man, Jacob Blake, was shot in the back seven times by Kenosha, Wisconsin, police while his three children looked on.