SANTA CLARA, Calif. – San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has denied rumors he has reverted to Islam, blaming Islamophobia for flaring such news.
“I have great respect for the religion, know a lot of people that are Muslim and are phenomenal people,” Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers’ backup quarterback, told Voice of America on Wednesday, September 7.
“But I think that (rumor of conversion) comes along with people’s fear of this protest, as well as Islamophobia in this country. People are terrified of them to the point where Trump wants to ban all Muslims from coming here, which is ridiculous.”
Kaepernick has willingly immersed himself into controversy by refusing to stand for the national anthem in protest of what he deems are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States.
His latest refusal to stand for the anthem came before the 49ers’ preseason loss to Green Bay at Levi’s Stadium on Friday night.
“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 an exclusive interview after the game.
“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.”
Kaepernick knocked off rumors that he has been heavily influenced by his Muslim friend Nessa Diab, a radio host.
“The impact is just conversations that we constantly have,’’ he said.
“This is an open discussion that I have with many people, not just my woman. She is Muslim, her family is Muslim, I have great respect for them. I have great respect for people’s right to believe what they want to believe. And I don’t think anybody should be prosecuted for judged based on what their beliefs all.’’
Kaepernick added, “People are getting lost in what the true message is and don’t want to address what is really is and address the issues, and that’s really the problem. I wish people would as outraged about the murders that are happening in the street as they are the protest.’’