Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick began protesting the national anthem during the NFL preseason. Photo: Getty

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was booed when he took the field against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, but he doesn’t understand what is un-American about his national anthem protest against police brutality. “I don’t understand what’s un-American about fighting for justice and liberty for everybody,” he said at a press conference Sunday.

 

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But not everyone was against Kaepernick. “I had some Bills fans come up before the game to say they supported me, so, I think it all depends on who the person is,” he said. “I'm going to continue my fight. People are being affected on a daily basis. This is a real issue that affects many people. More conversation happening creates change.”

Before the game, he wore a shirt of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali to pay “homage.” Ali “paved the way for this to happen,” Kapernick said, adding he will fight the same fight until “we accomplish our goal.”

His girlfriend, Hot 97 host Nessa Diab, praised the NFL athlete on Instagram. Nessa has generally been quiet about Kaepernick’s politics since the regular NFL season started, but she broke her silenceSunday. She shared a video of Kaepernick responding to his naysayers and added four emoij of hands together in prayer. Her post was viewed nearly 30,000 times by her 324,000 followers.

Kaepernick’s first game since 2015 was a flop. The 49ers lost to the Bills in a blowout of 45-16 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. San Francisco remains in last place in the NFC West.

Kaepernick lost his position as starting quarterback after he injured his shoulder throwing in a game Nov. 1, 2015. He needed surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder.

Nessa Diab
Nessa Diab at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sept. 20, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images

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