NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand for national anthem

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the national anthem before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday night -- a decision he said was meant to protest oppression of black and other minority communities.

"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 told NFL Media in a postgame interview. "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," he added.

Kaepernick's actions have been decried as unpatriotic by some, including members of the football community. The New York Giants' Justin Pugh, for example, tweeted Saturday that he "will be STANDING during the national anthem tonight."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

But Kaepernick has also garnered his share of supporters for both his salient message and his right to express his beliefs on and off the field.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Kaepernick, for his part, was prepared for the backlash. "I am not looking for approval," he said. "I have to stand up for people that are oppressed.

"If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right."