The Buffalo Bills extended their winning streak to four with a 45-16 home victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, although the day was marked by another blow for the visitors.
San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick made his first start in nearly a year. Outside the Bill’s stadium, T-shirts for sale allowed fans to make a strong — and shocking — statement about the anthem protest Kaepernick started during the preseason that has compelled scores of other prominent athletes to replicate it.
Via Robert Klemko of TheMMQB.com, one of the T-shirts displays an image of Kaepernick with a rifle sight on him. Above the photo is the word “Wanted,” and below it, the caption reads, “Notorious Disgrace to America.”
Elsewhere outside Ralph Wilson Stadium, one cluster of fans was striking a dummy wearing a Kaepernick jersey and an afro wig. Klemko also added that one fan even yelled, “Tackle the Muslim!”
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However, none of this behavior has been directly linked to the Bills organization.
Kaepernick–who finished 13 of 29 for 187 yards, including a touchdown pass to Torrey Smith– was the target of several boos and chants when he knelt during the national anthem, thus continuing his protest against racial inequality and oppression and police brutality.
Before the quarterback knelt, chants of “USA, USA” filled New Era Field.
“I don’t understand what’s un-American about fighting for liberty and justice for everybody, for the equality this country says it stands for,” Kaepernick said. “To me, I see it as very patriotic and American to uphold the United States to the standards that it says it lives by.”
Kaepernick was again joined in his protest by safety Eric Reid and linebacker Eli Harold.
In addition, 49ers safeties Antoine Bethea and Jaquiski Tartt, cornerbacks Keith Reaser and Rashard Robinson, and running back Mike Davis continued their own protest by raising their right fists during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
During the game, a fan at the stadium tweeted that someone had thrown a bottle at Kaepernick, but if it happened, Kaepernick didn’t notice.
“If they did, they didn’t have very good aim,” Kaepernick said. “But I had some Bills fans before the game come up and say they are supporting me, so I think it all depends on who the person is. At the end of the day, I’m going to continue to fight for what I’m fighting for.”
Last month, the QB said he had received death threats over his protest, although he stated Sunday those aren’t as frequent anymore.
The 49ers (1-5) settled for three field goals from Phil Dawson on Sunday, in losing their fifth consecutive game. The San Francisco run defense continued to struggle, giving up 312 yards.
LeSean McCoy scored three times for the Bills, finishing with 140 yards rushing and shaking off what looked like a frightening right knee injury late in the second quarter. Tyrod Taylor tossed two touchdown passes in helping the Bills win four straight for the first time since the start of the 2008 season.
Buffalo blew the game open by scoring 21 points over a span of 7:02 straddling the third and fourth quarters.
Taylor completed a 30-yard pass to Justin Hunter.
After McCoy gave the Bills a 31-16 lead with 10:53 remaining in the game, Buffalo got the ball back on the following kickoff. Keshawn Martin fumbled the return when he was stood up by a heavy hit from Nickell Robey-Coleman.
Two plays later, Taylor hit Robert Woods for a 5-yard touchdown pass.
McCoy scored twice on 18-yard runs and another on a 4-yard scamper. He tied his career-high for touchdowns in his second meeting against Chip Kelly. McCoy expressed bitter feelings toward Kelly for trading him from Philadelphia to Buffalo.
The Bills (4-2) will next visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, while the 49ers will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
BUFFALO, NY – OCTOBER 16: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to throw against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at New Era Field on October 16, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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