A week after the NFL stood together in the face of Donald Trump, the number of players protesting dramatically decreased on Sunday.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protests against police violence, by kneeling during the American national anthem last season. The 29-year-old has been mentioned by Donald Trump on numerous occasions, when speaking about the NFL.
While the number of players who knelt during the national anthem on Sunday was substantially less than last week, Kaepernick's former team was the most noticeable in their protests in Arizona.
Together pic.twitter.com/PwKDagudCq
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2017
The 49ers played days before last week's protests so Sunday's game was their first opportunity to take part in the movement as a team.
Half of their squad took a knee, with the other players standing directly behind them. In a statement released after the protest, the 49ers quietly acknowledged Kaepernick's work without directly naming him.
For more than a year, members of our team have protested the oppression and social injustices still present in our society. While some may not have taken a knee or raised a fist, we have all shared the desire to influence positive change.
Today, our team chose to publicly display our unity in a new way and, in turn, urge others do the same. Our demonstration is simply a representation of how we hope our country can also come together by putting differences aside and solving its problems.
A statement from the players, coaches, ownership and staff of the San Francisco #49ers pic.twitter.com/Rs2XCOiUeO
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2017
Kaepernick remains without a team, while the 49ers fell to their fourth loss of the season against the Arizona Cardinals.
