Kaepeick's refusal to stand for national anthem roils Twitter - CNET

On Twitter, the reaction was strong and divided.

"At the Rio olympics Usain Bolt stopped an interview to honor our national anthem. Spoiled brat #Kaepeick sits it out. Pick your role model," tweeted Tiffany Bass.

Others, though, felt he was free to express what he wanted. For example, Drew Allen explained: "If Colin #Kaepeick doesn't want to observe the national anthem, he doesn't have to. That's the beauty of liberty: no coercion/force."

For his part, Kaepeick's Twitter account was once the the source of his motivation. In 2013, he said that he favorited those who expressed their hate.

These days, the account is largely a series of retweets. Many conce the serious issues the African-American community faces with respect to policing.

He's also recently retweeted articles on such subjects as teachers in central Califoia being allowed to carry guns and the fact that Hillary Clinton seems to have a big problem with her emails.

Kaepeick is bi-racial, adopted and was brought up by white parents. He's not the first professional athlete to stage such a protest.

NBA guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf -- formerly known as Chris Jackson -- used to stretch while the anthem was being played before games during the 1995-96 season.

He did it for quite a while before anyone noticed. Social media didn't exist at the time. Once the NBA noticed, he was suspended for a game. The NBA then allowed him to stand during the anthem and look down, his eyes shut.

The San Francisco 49ers didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

However, the team issued statement to NFL.com. It read, in part: "In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem."

NFL rules say that players are encouraged to stand for the anthem but don't have to.

Those of jaundiced principles might mutter than Kaepeick's star has fallen in recent times.

Through shaky play and injury, he's no longer a starter. He requested a trade, but this wasn't forthcoming. Moreover, his new coach Chip Kelly is an enthusiastic supporter of the military. He participates in USO tours.

Twitter seems not to see too many nuances.