SANTA CLARA –- Colin Kaepernick is still competing against Blaine Gabbert to be the 49ers’ starting quarterback and any off-field issues will not factor into the decision, coach Chip Kelly said Saturday.
Kaepernick took a seat on the 49ers’ bench on Friday night during the playing of the Star-Spangled banner at Levi’s Stadium.
He explained his reasoning behind his protest.
"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 Steve Wyche of NFL Media. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.