Count Tommie Smith and Harry Edwards among those backing 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Like John Carlos, who famously stood with him on the medal stand at the Mexico City Olympics, Smith supports Kaepernick's national anthem protest."Colin is 28 years old and realizing that things are not quite like what they said it would be," Smith told USA Today. "He's just speaking out (but) he used a platform that many Americans don't agree with. He's being vilified in how he brings the truth out. I support him because he's bringing the truth out — regardless of how (it's) done.