NFL's Colin Kaepernick Defends Not Standing For National Anthem

An American football star has defended his decision not to stand for the National Anthem, saying it was a protest against racial injustice.

Colin Kaepernick, who plays for the San Francisco 49ers, was booed by some sections of the crowd at the pre-season game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday.

He has also been heavily criticised on social media.

But the quarterback has told NFL Media he stands by his decision.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour," he said.

"To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.

"If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.

"There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

His comments refer to the deaths of a number of black people at the hands of police, which have led to the Black Lives Matter protests.

The 49ers issued a statement supporting their player's decision.

"The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony," it said.

"In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognise the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem."

Some NFL fans supported his right to free speech, but others who saw things differently criticised the player.

Carolina Panthers fan Tyler Nelson tweeted: "Colin Kaepernick can get the hell out of our country. No respect for this guy."

NFL Associate Editor Ian Kenyon wrote: "Personally I don't care if Kaepernick doesn't stand for the anthem, it just means he's an idiot. But he's free to be an idiot."

Republican party congressional candidate Dan Bongino tweeted: "Complete disrespect for our flag & our country isn't 'speaking out'. It's simply disrespect."

But business mogul Mark Cuban wrote: "I may not understand his perspective or agree with him. But Colin Kaepernick taught us we can still disagree in this country, peacefully."

Kaepernick led the 49ers to the 2013 Super Bowl, but has since lost his starting place.

The 49ers have been trying to trade him to another club.

Two seasons ago, St Louis Rams players entered the stadium for a home NFL game with their hands raised.

That was a reference to the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" slogan adopted by protesters in demonstrations against the shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri.