San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was once considered a rising star in the NFL. He proved to be just as adept at running the ball as he was at shooting it. Last weekend, Kaepernick caused a stir for what he did before a recent preseason game with the Green Bay Packers in San Francisco.

“The Star Spangled Banner” has always preceded all major team professional sporting events. The Packers-49ers game was no exception, as fans at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California stood in an orderly fashion, placing their right hands over their hearts as gestures of respect for the national anthem. Players from both teams did the same, except for Kaepernick. He sat on the bench, which was taken as disrespectful to the national anthem and the American flag the song represents.

Kaepernick had sat through the anthem at the 49ers’ previous two preseason games. But that went largely unnoticed because he wasn’t in uniform to play in those games. However, an aerial photo was produced of him in full uniform sitting on the bench instead of standing with his teammates and saluting America. Asked why he didn’t stand up for the anthem after the game, Kaepernick said, “I’m not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. For me, this is bigger.” than football and it would be selfish of me to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people who get paid leave and get away with it.”

Not surprisingly, Kaepernick’s stance has earned him the ire of the social media universe. Many people have taken to cyberspace to hurl racial epithets at Kaepernick, half black, half white, in addition to wishing him bodily harm. It is evident that many in America are serious about showing due respect for the national anthem and are willing to either not provide a viable alternative to their protest or choose to ignore it altogether.

But I digress. Kaepernick has stated that he will continue to sit through the national anthem before each game until his concerns about the treatment of black people in the United States are rectified. That day is far from being a reality, as several incidents of Black citizens being killed by law enforcement and non-Black citizens have highlighted America’s relationship with its Black citizens.

Kaepernick has also expressed his willingness to sacrifice his football career, as well as his off-field endorsements, for their cause. His performance on the field has dwindled in recent years, as Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick Blaine Gabbert has been considered the 49ers’ starting quarterback. Simply put, Kaepernick has become expendable. But his stance goes beyond the X’s and O’s on the grid. That said, do you think Kaepernick’s stance is treacherous or admirable, and why?