If Colin Kaepernick continues to sit during pregame national anthems, 49ers coach Chip Kelly won’t object.
“We recognize his right to do that,” Kelly said in a media conference call Saturday. “It’s not my right to tell him not to do something. That’s his right as a citizen.”
Kelly said he hasn’t spoken with Kaepernick since Friday night’s 21-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers, which served as Kaepernick’s exhibition-season debut. Kaepernick went 2-of-6 for 14 yards, and he ran four times in 12 snaps.
Kelly said he and his coaches haven’t discussed whether Blaine Gabbert will be their season-opening starter over Kaepernick, who Kelly claimed is still in the competition.