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49ers John Lynch clarifies anthem stance

John Lynch, troubled how his recent comments on national anthem protests came across, clarified his stance Friday.

“Not only do I respect but I understand the motivations of these players that are trying to do something about it,” Lynch said on KNBR 680-AM. “I want to be very clear with that. That’s where my heart is.”

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch answers questions from the news media following a joint practice with the Denver Broncos during training camp at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch answers questions from the news media following a joint practice with the Denver Broncos during training camp at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

Two days earlier, Lynch explained how he saw the anthem as a unifying symbol, but he also noted that player protests are “divisive,” a word he regrets using.