Stephen Lam/Reuters
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick drew boos from the crowd at a preseason game on Friday after refusing to stand for the national anthem, but the NFL has expressed support for his decision. After the game in Santa Clara, California, Kaepernick explained his decision by saying he didn't support the country's treatment of minorities, hinting at recent police shootings of black men. "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 said. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder." The 49ers issued a statement after the game against the Green Bay Packers, saying while the national anthem is a "special" part of the game, they "recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem."