Colin Kaepernick says he'll donate profits from NFL's hottest-selling jersey

Colin Kaepernick's number-seven San Francisco 49ers jersey has become the NFL's hottest seller since he began a silent protest during pregame renditions of the national anthem last month.

Now Kaepernick says he'll back up his actions with his wallet by donating all his proceeds from the surging jersey sales.

"I want to thank everyone who has shown me love and support, it truly means a lot!" Kaepernick wrote in an Instagram post. "I wasn't expecting my jersey sales to jump to number one because of this, but it shows the people's belief that we can achieve justice and equality for ALL! The only way I can repay you for the support is to return the favor by donating all the proceeds I receive from my jersey sales back into the communities! I believe in the people, and WE can be the change!"

That caption was accompanied by a photo collage showing celebrities, toddlers and ordinary people alike wearing his jersey in support.

Last week, Kaepernick said he plans to donate the first $1 million he earns this season to community-building organizations. He's due to earn $11.9 million this season after signing a six-year, $114 million contract with the 49ers in 2014.

Kaepernick began his silent pregame protest during the pre-season, first by sitting, then taking a knee during the national anthem. The quarterback said his gesture is meant to call attention and resources to the oppression of "black people and people of color" in the United States.

"To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way," Kaepernick said in August, using recent police killings of unarmed black men as an example. "There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Kaepernick says he plans to continue his silent pregame protests during the regular season after refusing to stand for the anthem before two preseason games.

"I'm not anti-American," Kaepernick said after his second game protesting. "I love America. That's why I'm doing this."

Reaction to his activism has been divided.

A police union that helps provide security for 49ers home games threatened Friday to stop doing so if the team doesn't release or muzzle Kaepernick. Meanwhile, a 49ers teammate of Kaepernick's, an NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks and American soccer star Megan Rapinoe have supported him by also refusing to stand for the national anthem before games.

Then there are his jersey sales, which tell the story in a different way.

Between the lines, Kaepernick's football career has been on a steady downward trajectory since he lead the 49ers to the 2013 Super Bowl in his second season, sparking breathless prognostications about how he might revolutionize the quarterback position. Now, however, the man with the $114 million contract is the 49ers backup quarterback after losing the job to Blaine Gabbert, who is basically a scrub.

Kaepernick's jersey was the 49ers' sixth-highest seller this year, according to ESPN.com -- until he began his pregame protests. It's now tops on the team and top-three in the entire NFL, according to ESPN.com, which reports the 49ers have sold more Kaepernick apparel in the past week than in the previous eight months combined.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.