11 August, 2017
Film maker Spike Lee is backing a rally in support of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who provoked controversy last season by kneeling during the U.S. national anthem to protest against injustice in America.
The original petition by Unstripped Voice stated that once it reached 100,000 signatures, it would be delivered to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and every NFL team owner.
Kaepernick has kept his promise from last season, after he pledged to donate $1 million to charity. "However I Still Support My Brother And His Stance On The Injustices In The USA", Lee said in a separate Twitter post.
Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, appears to have been blackballed this summer for choosing to kneel during the national anthem last season, citing police violence and social injustice against minorities.
Kaepernick became a free agent in March, and he remains unsigned. More than 600 people so far have said they will attend the pro-Kaepernick protest on September 10, when the Bears start the season against the Atlanta Falcons. During an interview previous year, he told National Football League media, "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 started 11 games for the 49ers in the 2016 season, throwing 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.
