After Sunday’s 34-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco’s defiant quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, displayed more signs of militancy by wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the logo of the uncompromising Black Panther Party for Self-Defense to a postgame news conference. The Panthers have been commemorating their 50th anniversary in California’s Bay area throughout October.
Since this August’s preseason games, Kaepernick has refused to stand for the national anthem before his team’s games in protest of rampant nationwide police terrorism against Blacks and Hispanics, and racial discrimination.
Last week, Kaepernick wore a shirt with the socially conscious boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s image after losing to the Buffalo Bills.
“To pay homage,” Kaepernick responded when asked at the time about the Ali shirt. “He fought a very similar fight and was trying to do what’s right for the people. And for me to be able to have someone like that come before me is huge.”
Kaepernick says his girlfriend, Nessa Diaha, a radio and television host, is responsible for his recent social activism. She has been a prominent Black Lives Matter supporter.
Additionally, in paying tribute to the Black Panthers, Kaepernick posted “History!” on his Instagram page in honor of the Black Panther Party.
“I don’t understand why ratings would go down fighting for justice for people to try and stop oppression, especially in a league that’s predominantly Black—what about 70 percent?” the quarterback responded to a reporter during the news conference.
Last month, Kaepernick’s jersey was the third best-selling player jersey on NFL.com, according to the website. Only the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie running back Ezekiel Elliot and New York Giants’ wide receiver Odell Beckham were more popular.