the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he refused to stand during the national anthem on Friday because of his views on the countrys treatment of racial minorities.I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color, Kaepernick told NFL Media after Fridays game. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.The 49ers acknowledged in a statement that Kaepernick sat on the teams bench during the national anthem before San Franciscos game against the Green Bay Packers?in Santa Clara, California.The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame ceremony, the statement said. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.Kaepernick told NFL Media that he did not tell the team he was planning to protest the national anthem.This is not something that I am going to run by anybody, he said. I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.Addressing reporters on a conference call on Saturday, 49ers coach Chip Kelly called Kaepernicks actions his right as a citizen.?We recognize his right to do that, Kelly said. Its not my right to tell him not to do something.Kelly added that he hadnt received any feedback from his players regarding the much-debated actions of his quarterback.Im sure some of them would be aware of it after reading the accounts today, but no one has expressed anything, Kelly said. Well talk about it as a team tomorrow.Keenan Reynolds, who played his college ball at Navy and is trying to make the Baltimore Ravens roster as a receiver and kick returner, said Kaepernick has the right to take such a stance.Obviously, being in the military, Im proud of that position, Im proud of being able to defend the country, so humbled [by] other people that came before me and gave their lives so I can play on the field and run around and we can live freely in this country, Reynolds said. But like I said, thats his right, and hes going to do what he has to do.New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz, speaking after Saturday nights preseason game against the?Jets, said he disagreed with Kaepernicks actions.I think, personally, the flag is the flag, regardless of how you feel about the things that are going on in America today and the things that are going on across the world with gun violence and things of that nature, Cruz said. You got to respect the flag, and you got to stand up with your teammates. Its bigger than just you, in my opinion. You go up there, youre with a team, and you go and pledge your allegiance to the flag, and you sing the national anthem with your team, and then you go about your business. Whatever your beliefs are, are your beliefs.Colin is his own man. He decided to sit down and sit out, and thats his prerogative. But on a personal standpoint, you have to stand up there and understand that this game and whats going on around the country is bigger than just you.Kaepernick also did not stand for the national anthem during the other preseason games, but he wasnt dressed for those contests because of tightness in his right shoulder.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Saturday that players?are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.Pro Football Talk initially reported that Kaepernick did not stand during the anthem. He was not asked about his decision during his postgame news conference, which was held before the Pro Football Talk report.Kaepernick, who is biracial, was adopted and raised by white parents. He has been outspoken on his Twitter account on civil rights issues and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.Numerous high-profile athletes have spoken out about civil rights issues in the wake of gun violence throughout the United States. In July, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul opened the ESPYS with a call for social change and an end to violence, and WNBA players wore warm-up shirts to show solidarity after shootings in Minnesota and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.Wades cousin, Nykea Aldridge, was killed by gunfire in Chicago on Friday, a day after Wade participated in a series of panel discussions on gun violence hosted by The Undefeated on ESPN.Kaepernick told NFL Media that he had thought about going public with his feelings for a while but said, I felt that I needed to understand the situation better.In a series of tweets on Saturday, Giants?offensive lineman Justin Pugh reiterated his position on why he stands for the national anthem.Kaepernick joins team sports athletes, including Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and Carlos Delgado, in refusing to participate during patriotic American songs. Abdul-Rauf was suspended one game by the NBA in 1996 for not standing during the national anthem, saying the United States had a history of tyranny and doing so would conflict with his Islamic beliefs. He later agreed to stand and pray silently during the song. Delgado would leave the field in 2004 during God Bless America in protest of the Iraq War.Kaepernick made his preseason debut on Friday against the Packers. He went 2 for 6 passing for 14 yards and added 18 yards on four carries in the 49ers 21-10 loss.Kelly was asked Saturday if he expects Kaepernick to make the 53-man roster.Yeah, hes competing with?Blaine [Gabbert]?to see who our starting quarterback is going to be, Kelly said. We havent had any discussions in terms of starters right now. Our whole focus today was really making our cuts to 75.?ESPN staff writer Nick Wagoner and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Air Vapormax 97 Sale . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. Cheap Nike Air Max Tn Australia . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. http://www.vapormaxaustraliashoes.com/buy-air-max-plus-australia/97.html . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Vapormax 97 Australia .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Nike Tns Mens Australia . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. MINNEAPOLIS -- Seimone Augustus had 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting in her return from a knee injury, and Maya Moore added 15 to help the Minnesota Lynx cruise to an 88-70 victory over the New York Liberty on Friday night.Augustus, who missed the last three games because of a sore left knee, grabbed a season-high seven rebounds and had four assists. Janel McCarville scored a season-best 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting for Minnesota (18-4).Back-to-back baskets by Shavonte Zellous pulled the Liberty (16-7) within four with 2:35 left in the first half, but Lindsay Whalen hit a jumper and haad two assists during a 9-2 run that pushed the Lynxs lead into double figures early in the third quarter.dddddddddddd Minnesota, ranked second in the AP WNBA power poll, made 10 of 15 from the field in the period and led the rest of the way.Tina Charles had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Zellous added 11 points for the third-ranked Liberty. New York had its four-game winning streak snapped.The Lynx have won three games in a row and five of their last six. ' ' '