Last season, the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, made a huge stand by choosing not to stand during the National Anthem. This was due to the recent tensions and killings going on between law enforcement and people in the black community.

There has been a rigid relationship between the police and African Americans for decades in America. The conflict has arguably become bigger than ever since the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012 and the court case involving his killer, George Zimmerman.

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To bring attention to the issue, Colin Kaepernick rocked his Afrocentric hair and remained seated during the playing of the National Anthem. Kaepernick said that he couldn’t “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” This split NFL fans, players, and Americans as far as their opinions on his symbolic message.

Later, other players joined him throughout the league and decided not to stand during the National Anthem. Kaepernick acknowledged the fact that this would stir up an enormous controversy and might even cost him endorsements. But, he believes that this is bigger than football and he has to do what’s right.

Once a star quarterback and beloved by plenty of fans across the country, he has now become a free agent without a single team showing indication of giving him a new home to continue his career. Ironically, this quick transition happened right after this huge issue. Some believe that this is because of his actions and refusal to stand, while others are blaming his skill level, claiming that he’s just not good anymore and that numbers never lie.

With the preseason starting back up in August, the question of him joining a new team is becoming bigger and bigger. We will never accurately know whether his absence from a team is due to his protest against police brutality or is a result of his poor performance, but we can all formulate our own opinions and wait to see whether or not he is put on a team.