Kaepernick praises Miami Dolphins for kneeling during national anthem

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick thanked the Miami Dolphins players on Sunday who protested during the national anthem before their season opener against Tennessee, saying “their courage will move the world forward.”

Kaepernick shared a photo of wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson kneeling during the anthem, praising the players for showing “unwavering strength by fighting for the oppressed!”

“They have not backed down, even when attacked and intimidated. Their courage will move the world forward!” Kaepernick tweeted. “‘Love is at the root of our resistance!’”

My Brothers @kstills and @ithinkisee12 continue to show their unwavering strength by fighting for the oppressed! They have not backed down, even when attacked and intimidated. Their courage will move the world forward!

“Love is at the root of our resistance!”✊ pic.twitter.com/2kSsX4s7EU

— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 9, 2018

Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn also protested during the anthem by raising his fist, according to The Associated Press.{mosads}

Kaepernick has been under fire since 2016 when he first took a knee during the pregame playing of the national anthem to protest racial injustice.

Kaepernick became a free agent after facing backlash for kneeling in a sign of protest against racial inequality during the 2016 NFL season. He has remained unsigned since becoming the face of the movement among NFL players who choose to kneel during the anthem.

The player filed a grievance last year accusing league owners of colluding to keep him off a team, and an arbitrator ruled late last month that his case will go to trial.

Nike announced last week that Kaepernick would be the new face of its “Just Do It” campaign for it 30th anniversary, a move that drew considerable backlash from President Trump and his base.

Trump has frequently attacked Kaepernick and other players who have kneeled or stayed in the locker room during the national anthem. 

He ramped up his attacks on the NFL Sunday morning, knocking the league over lower ratings for its first game of the season, which he attributed to the ongoing protests. 

There were no visible demonstrations by NFL players during the national anthem before Thursday night’s NFL season opener between the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles. 

The NFL reportedly won’t implement a new policy this season on players standing for the national anthem, after originally voting to implement a controversial policy that required players “to stand and show respect” during the song.

The league froze the policy after a legal challenge from the players’ union.