During practice several weeks before National Anthem protest.
Stephen Lam/Reuters
Several weeks before Colin Kaepernick stirred national controversy by refusing to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner” before an exhibition game against the Green Bay Packers, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback was spotted wearing anti-police socks on the field for team practice. Kaepernick has protested the National Anthem because of his views on police treatment of minority populations, telling reporters, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” On Aug. 10, he was spotted on a practice field wearing high socks with cartoons that depict police officers as pigs. That silent protest, however, went largely unnoticed until now.
