49ers CEO Jed York yesterday "acknowledged the team is supportive" of QB Colin Kaepernick as he "continues to not stand" during the National Anthem, according to Eric Branch of the S.F. CHRONICLE. York: "It's not easy to make a stand and do something that's not popular with everybody. I think that's what Colin has done. He's done it in a respectful way." York said that he has talked with Kaepernick "about his decision, but declined to divulge specifics of their discussions" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/13). Seahawks players on Sunday locked arms during the National Anthem, but York said that he "did not approach the 49ers about doing anything similar." York: "I’m not going to tell the guys what to do. I’m not going to get into that. That’s not my place. The locker room needs to take care of itself." York said that the 49ers "have not received any backlash from their sponsors." He added: "They've been really good." Speaking about Kaepernick, York said, "We collectively understand where he’s coming from and respect his position. It’s been good to actually start a dialogue in our locker room and in our entire organization" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 9/13).
ALL TOGETHER NOW: In S.F., Scott Ostler notes the protest has been "highly divisive among the general population, but it might have had a unifying effect on the 49ers." The team and the protest are "coexisting nicely." Ostler: "So far." Kaepernick: "It’s been amazing. I think what it is, is people that have known this issue (police brutality) is going on, just didn’t quite know how to express it, to bring attention to it. And now that the conversation is there, they support it, and they want to let people know they’re supporting it, and trying to bring awareness, and do things to help eliminate that issue. I was happy to see that they’re not afraid to express what they really feel." Ostler notes York and 49ers coach Chip Kelly get a "big assist" because both "tacitly supported the players' right to protest." At home, Kaepernick is "no major villain." At Levi's Stadium, "dozens of Kaepernick jerseys" can be seen. Many fans said that they "had experienced no blowback" for donning the jersey (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/13).
STAY IN YOUR PLACE? ESPN NFL analyst Trent Dilfer on Sunday was critical of Kaepernick's protest, claiming it had caused friction within the organization. Kaepernick yesterday responded, saying, "That’s one of the most ridiculous comments I’ve heard. The fact that you say, you know, ‘You’re a backup quarterback, stay in your place.’ That’s an issue. To me, you’re telling me that my position as a backup quarterback and being quiet is more important than people’s lives. I would ask him to really have a conversation with the families of people that have been murdered, and see if he still feels that way, because I’ll bet you he doesn’t. Just because he hasn’t experienced that type of oppression." The CHRONICLE's Branch notes 49ers LB Eli Harold on Sunday "called Dilfer an 'idiot' on Twitter." He said that his "decision to raise" his fist during the National Anthem yesterday was "at least partly inspired by Dilfer’s comments." Harold: "Mr. Dilfer said something I didn’t agree with and enough was enough. ... If a guy wants to stand up and believe in something, you shouldn’t shoot him down, talk down on him and say he put himself above the team when that wasn’t the issue" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/13).
