called Kaepernick wearing the socks disrespectful,

After the head of a national police organization blasted Colin Kaepernick?on Thursday for wearing socks with cartoon pigs in police hats, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback said he didnt want the apparel to distract from his protest of racial inequalities in America.On Instagram, Kaepernick said he wore the socks in practice to make a statement -- but he did so before he took a public stance by refusing to stand for the national anthem at preseason games.I wore these socks, in the past, because the rogue cops that are allowed to hold positions in police departments, not only put the community in danger, but also the cops that have the right intentions in danger by creating an environment of tension and mistrust, Kaepernick wrote on Instagram on Thursday. I have two uncles and friends who are police officers and work to protect and serve ALL people. So before these socks, which were worn before I took my public stance, are used to distract from the real issues, I wanted to address this immediately.According to USA Today, Kaepernick reportedly wore the socks as early as Aug. 10, but he had not been asked about them. Images of the socks were posted on social media Wednesday night and quickly created a stir.Its just ridiculous that the same league that prohibits the Dallas [Cowboys] football club from honoring the slain officers in their community with their uniforms stands silent when Kaepernick is dishonoring police officers with what hes wearing on the field, Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, said, according to USA TODAY Sports.?I think the league is in a downward spiral regarding their obligations to the public under [commissioner] Roger Goodell, and this is just another example of that.The league has taken action in the past for what players wear at practice. The NFL told the Patriots this summer that players must wear numbers on their practice uniforms, in part to monitor injured players. Its not clear if the league would come down on Kaepernicks statement socks. According to USA Today, the league said it would not comment until it spoke to the Niners.On Sunday, Kaepernick said he welcomed the attention that his stance has garnered.The fact that it has blown up like this, I think its a good thing. It brings awareness, he said. Now, I think people are really talking about it. Having conversations about how to make change. Whats really going on in this country. And we can move forward. ... There is police brutality. People of color have been targeted by police. So thats a large part of it, and theyre government officials. They are put in place by the government. So thats something that this country has to change. Theres things we can do to hold them more accountable. Make those standards higher.Kaepernick is expected to play Thursday night against the San Diego Chargers, who will be holding their annual salute to the military at the game. He has indicated that he will continue to sit for the national anthem until he sees change in the country.The socks are not the first apparel that Kaepernick has worn to make a statement. He also wore a Fidel Castro T-shirt and a Malcolm X hat last week. He has not been seen by the media wearing the socks since a San Francisco police officers union official complained about his lack of sensitivity on Monday.Johnson, who represents more than 240,000 active law enforcement officers, called Kaepernick wearing the socks disrespectful, according to USA Today.It doesnt seem like hes thought through or bothered to educate himself about the way [law enforcement officers] are out there trying to do a very difficult job, and the vast majority of the time get the job done right, Johnson said, according to the newspaper. Buy Shoes Black Friday . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. Fake Shoes Black Friday . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. https://www.cheapshoesblackfriday.com/ . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Cheap Shoes Black Friday . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Shoes Black Friday Deals 2020 .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina center Cory Helms learned quickly not to play Madden with a young quarterback like Jake Bentley.They start reading the defenses and making plays, Helms said with a smile. They want to win.The Gamecocks (3-4, 1-4 Southeastern Conference) hope their latest freshman quarterback brings that video-game attitude to the field each week. Bentley made his college debut last week, getting the call to start and leading South Carolina to a 34-28 victory over UMass last Saturday.Bentleys task gets considerably tougher this week when South Carolina faces No. 18 Tennessee (5-2, 2-2) on Saturday night.Bentley gave the Gamecocks a boost from almost the moment he stepped behind center. He led them to a 27-7 lead, including TD passes of 16 yards to K.C. Crosby and 24-yards to Bryan Edwards -- just the second time this season South Carolina had connected for more than one scoring throw in a game.Bentley finished with 201 yards and two touchdowns, sparking an offense that was last in Football Bowl Subdivision scoring average and had not scored more than 20 points in any of its first six games.It really gave everybody a lift, tight Hayden Hurst said. Hes very poised and confident.Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp and quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper, the teams co-offensive coordinator, have decided to roll with their two freshmen quarterbacks the rest of the season. Bentley, at 6-3 and 223 pounds, has a live arm and a quick release. Fellow freshman Brandon McIlwain, who started three of the first six games, is more adept at running zone read schemes and South Carolina brought him in on several goal line situations.I just feel like right now, from an ability standpoint, (Bentley and McIlwain) give us the best opportunity, and theyre just going to keep getting better, Muschamp said. Both of them do things equally well, and well continue to rep that way.Muschamp said Bentley has kept a workmanlike approach despite his first-game success. Bentley told Muschamp at practice he had watched about 2 1-2 hours of Tennessee film.ddddddddddddHe knows how to prepare the right way, the coach said.Tailback A.J. Turner said Bentley allows the Gamecocks to take more downfield chances, which in turn opens up room for their running backs. No surprise that South Carolina had its most productive game on the ground this season with 194 yards.Thats something that Jake did for us, Turner said.Bentley had offers from Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Nebraska among others. He planned to spend another season in high school before his father, Bobby, became Muschamps running backs coach last December. The younger Bentley chose to speed up the process, graduating early and joining the Gamecocks this summer.Muschamp expects Bentleys progress to continue throughout the season. Muschamp does not allow Bentley or other South Carolina freshmen to speak to the media.Tennessee coach Butch Jones thought Bentley managed the offense like a veteran in his first start.Vols cornerback Emmanuel Moseley believes Bentleys inexperience wont matter come Saturday.Even though he is supposed to be a senior (in high school) right now it doesnt matter, Mosely said. ?He went out there and did a great job. He got his team the win.The UMass win left all South Carolina players feeling good early in the week. Left tackle Mason Zandi said the team had a little extra spirit on the practice field as it prepped for Tennessee -- and he knows a lot of that is because of Bentleys performance.Jakes got a little bit of swagger. You come into your first start, you throw two impressive touchdowns, definitely no mistakes, said Zandi, a senior. Thats a big deal for a kid whos supposed to be a senior in high school.---AP Sports Writer Steve Megargee from Knoxville, Tennessee contributed to this report.---Online:More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '