Defiant and determined to be a conduit for US change, star NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick plans to sit through the national anthem for as long as he feels is appropriate and until he sees significant progress in America - specifically when it comes to race relations.
He knows he could be cut by the San Francisco 49ers for his stand against police brutality against minorities.
The quarterback realises he might be treated poorly in some road cities, and he's ready for that, too, saying he's not overly concerned about his safety, but "if something happens that's only proving my point.
"I'm going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed," Kaepernick said at his locker on Sunday (Monday AEST). "To me this is something that has to change. When there's significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it's supposed to represent, this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to, I'll stand."
Kaepernick hasn't stood for the anthem in any of the team's three NFL pre-season games, and insists whatever the consequences, he will know "I did what's right." He said he hasn't heard from the NFL or anyone else about his actions, and it won't matter if he does.
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"No one's tried to quiet me and, to be honest, it's not something I'm going to be quiet about," he said. "I'm going to speak the truth when I'm asked about it. This isn't for look. This isn't for publicity or anything like that. This is for people that don't have the voice. And this is for people that are being oppressed and need to have equal opportunities to be successful. To provide for families and not live in poor circumstances."
