A bar used Colin Kaepernick's jersey as a doormat

It has since been removed.
 By 
Jacob Lauing
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Sales of Colin Kaepernick's 49ers jersey skyrocketed after the quarterback started his silent protest of racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem.

But not all have been used to honor the player. One of his jerseys has been put to use as a doormat in Virginia Beach, where Krossroads Rock and Country Bar taped Kaepernick's red No. 7 top to the floor.

James Perry, a Virginia Beach resident, posted a photo of the jersey on Facebook last weekend, calling it an act of racism.


You May Also Like

Parry berated the bar for villainizing Kaepernick, who he said is only exercising his free speech rights.

On Krossroad's Facebook page, many wrote reviews siding with Perry, echoing his sentiment and questioning the character of the bar.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Others, however, considered it a double standard that Kaepernick's protests could be protected by free speech but the restaurant's actions could not.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The restaurant told a local news station WTKR that taping Kapernick's jersey to the floor was about "sportsmanship and disrespect to the flag." One Facebook reviewer agreed.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The jersey has since been removed, according to WTKR, but it's hardly the only backlash Kaepernick has received for his protests.

Mashable Image
Jacob Lauing

Jacob is Mashable's Sports Intern. He graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where he studied journalism and served as editor-in-chief of Mustang News, Cal Poly's student newspaper. Some of Jacob's favorite activities include watching baseball, playing music and eating bagels.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Bad Bunny's 'Ocasio 64' jersey meaning explained
Bad Bunny performs at the Super Bowl

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 review: Big sound, zero hassle
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 speaker and subwoofer sit on a TV console in front of a flat screen tv


Grammarly removes AI feature which used real authors' identities, faces class action lawsuit
The Grammarly logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen.

Everything to know about 'Sugar' Season 2
Colin Farrell in “Sugar” season two, premiering globally on Apple TV on June 19.

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma


NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!