Jerry Rice Supports Colin Kaepernick, Anthem Protest After Initially Criticizing 49ers QB

Legendary San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice was initially part of the group of prominent sports figures who criticized the team’s backup quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, for taking a knee to protest the national anthem.

Jerry Rice Supports Colin Kaepernick, Anthem Protest After Initially Criticizing 49ers QB

Now, however, Rice has reversed course, saying he backs Kaepernick.

As demonstrated by the following tweet, the 53-year-old Hall of Famer expressed his support for his former team’s current QB, and more specifically for the statement Kaepernick intended to make on injustice and the oppression of minorities, especially at the hands of the police.

“I support @Kaepernick7 for bringing awareness for injustice !!! As Americans we all have rights! Im hoping we all come together#solution,” Rice wrote.

On Aug. 29, just three days after Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem during an NFL preseason game, thus launching the protest that dozens of athletes have now replicated, Rice said he “respected his stance” but was outraged by Kaepernick’s dishonoring of the flag.

Among the players that have joined Kaepernick in his protest by kneeling or sitting during the playing of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” are some of the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster, Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and U.S. Women’s Soccer star Megan Rapinoe. 

Other players have continued protesting and making a statement by raising their fists, like Jenkins and two of his teammates, defensive end Steven Means and cornerback Ron Brooks did before the Eagles’ 29-14 road win over the Chicago Bears on Monday night.

Several of these players have also been heavily criticized by those who say the protest disrespects the flag, members of the armed forces, etc. Nevertheless, several veterans stated they support Kaepernick’s right to protest, even starting the hashtag #VeteransforKaepernick on social media, a topic that quickly became a top trending subject.

Some athletes have even been stymied in their attempts to repeat the protest, just as Rapinoe was when the national anthem was played early before a National Women’s Soccer League game between her team, the Seattle Reign, and the Washington Spirit.

Although Rice didn’t explain his opinion change on the protest, he could potentially be following moves made by NBA superstar Dwyane Wade. On Tuesday, Wade posted “#TERENCECRUTCHER” on Instagram, along with a written plea for the black community to unite following the release on Monday of a video showing Terence Crutcher, an unarmed black man, being fatally shot by police on the side of a road in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday.

Crutcher’s family has since demanded charges be brought against Betty Shelby, the policewoman who killed the young man. Shelby’s attorney said she believed Crutcher was behaving erratically, and may have possibly been under the influence of PCP.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – DECEMBER 23: Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49er Jerry Rice catches passes prior to the start of an NFL Football game between the 49ers and Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park on December 23, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)