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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he refused to stand during the national anthem on Friday because of his views on the countrys treatment of racial minorities.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 told NFL Media after Fridays game. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.The 49ers acknowledged in a statement that Kaepernick sat on the teams bench during the national anthem before San Franciscos game against the Green Bay Packers?in Santa Clara, California.The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame ceremony, the statement said. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.Kaepernick told NFL Media that he did not tell the team he was planning to protest the national anthem.This is not something that I am going to run by anybody, he said. I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.Addressing reporters on a conference call on Saturday, 49ers coach Chip Kelly called Kaepernicks actions his right as a citizen.?We recognize his right to do that, Kelly said. Its not my right to tell him not to do something.Kelly added that he hadnt received any feedback from his players regarding the much-debated actions of his quarterback.Im sure some of them would be aware of it after reading the accounts today, but no one has expressed anything, Kelly said. Well talk about it as a team tomorrow.Keenan Reynolds, who played his college ball at Navy and is trying to make the Baltimore Ravens roster as a receiver and kick returner, said Kaepernick has the right to take such a stance.Obviously, being in the military, Im proud of that position, Im proud of being able to defend the country, so humbled [by] other people that came before me and gave their lives so I can play on the field and run around and we can live freely in this country, Reynolds said. But like I said, thats his right, and hes going to do what he has to do.New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz, speaking after Saturday nights preseason game against the?Jets, said he disagreed with Kaepernicks actions.I think, personally, the flag is the flag, regardless of how you feel about the things that are going on in America today and the things that are going on across the world with gun violence and things of that nature, Cruz said. You got to respect the flag, and you got to stand up with your teammates. Its bigger than just you, in my opinion. You go up there, youre with a team, and you go and pledge your allegiance to the flag, and you sing the national anthem with your team, and then you go about your business. Whatever your beliefs are, are your beliefs.Colin is his own man. He decided to sit down and sit out, and thats his prerogative. But on a personal standpoint, you have to stand up there and understand that this game and whats going on around the country is bigger than just you.Kaepernick also did not stand for the national anthem during the other preseason games, but he wasnt dressed for those contests because of tightness in his right shoulder.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Saturday that players?are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.Pro Football Talk initially reported that Kaepernick did not stand during the anthem. He was not asked about his decision during his postgame news conference, which was held before the Pro Football Talk report.Kaepernick, who is biracial, was adopted and raised by white parents. He has been outspoken on his Twitter account on civil rights issues and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.Numerous high-profile athletes have spoken out about civil rights issues in the wake of gun violence throughout the United States. In July, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul opened the ESPYS with a call for social change and an end to violence, and WNBA players wore warm-up shirts to show solidarity after shootings in Minnesota and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.Wades cousin, Nykea Aldridge, was killed by gunfire in Chicago on Friday, a day after Wade participated in a series of panel discussions on gun violence hosted by The Undefeated on ESPN.Kaepernick told NFL Media that he had thought about going public with his feelings for a while but said, I felt that I needed to understand the situation better.In a series of tweets on Saturday, Giants?offensive lineman Justin Pugh reiterated his position on why he stands for the national anthem.Kaepernick joins team sports athletes, including Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and Carlos Delgado, in refusing to participate during patriotic American songs. Abdul-Rauf was suspended one game by the NBA in 1996 for not standing during the national anthem, saying the United States had a history of tyranny and doing so would conflict with his Islamic beliefs. He later agreed to stand and pray silently during the song. Delgado would leave the field in 2004 during God Bless America in protest of the Iraq War.Kaepernick made his preseason debut on Friday against the Packers. He went 2 for 6 passing for 14 yards and added 18 yards on four carries in the 49ers 21-10 loss.Kelly was asked Saturday if he expects Kaepernick to make the 53-man roster.Yeah, hes competing with?Blaine [Gabbert]?to see who our starting quarterback is going to be, Kelly said. We havent had any discussions in terms of starters right now. Our whole focus today was really making our cuts to 75.?ESPN staff writer Nick Wagoner and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reggie White Super Bowl Jersey . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Dean Lowry Super Bowl Jersey . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Clay-matthews-packers-jersey/ . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. Paul Hornung Super Bowl Jersey . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. Dexter Williams Super Bowl Jersey . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. BOULDER, Colo. -- In seasons gone by, the Colorado Buffaloes would be playing for nothing more than a little pride at this stage of the year.How those times have dramatically changed for the once downtrodden program. The rise of the No. 21 Buffaloes (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12, No. 15 CFP ) has been one of the more intriguing story lines in college football this season. They were considered a fringe bowl team at best heading into the year and their coach, Mike MacIntyre, on the hot seat.Just look at the Buffaloes now: In control of the Pac-12 South race as they face UCLA (3-5, 1-4) on Thursday night.When I first got here I knew that Colorado was on the up and this year weve proven that were on the rise, senior defensive lineman Jordan Carrell said. We do control our own destiny. We just have to stick to that one-game mindset.No time for slip-ups. Not with so much at stake. First, a Bruins team the Buffaloes havent beaten since joining the conference in 2011. Then, at Arizona, followed by two home games against No. 25 Washington State and No. 16 Utah. After that, a possible trip to the Pac-12 Championship Game.But thats too far down the road to even entertain. UCLA has Colorados undivided attention.I think being ranked is also going to give extra incentive for teams to come out there and give us their best shot, senior quarterback Sefo Liufau said. So each game is critically important. Each game is like a championship game because destiny is in our hands.On offense, the Buffaloes have fared well against UCLA the last two seasons, rolling up 1,054 total yards. It netted them exactly this: A 40-37 double-overtime loss in 2014 and a 35-31 defeat last season in Pasadena.I remember those games vividly, Liufau said. I dont use them as extra motivation.With UCLA standout quarterback Josh Rosen likely sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Colorado defense is bracing for Mike Fafaul, who threw the ball 70 times for 464 yards and five TDs in a 52-45 loss to Utah on Oct. 22.A formidable challenge for a Buffs defense thats ranked 30th in the country against the pass.They will stretch us for sure, so were going to have to play really good coverage, MacIntyre said.Meanwhile, the Bruins are trying to finish up strong aafter dropping three straight.ddddddddddddTo get a four-game win streak (to close out the season), weve got to go 1-0, Bruins tight end Austin Roberts said. Weve got to get it started this week. Who better than against a great team like Colorado?Things to know in a series the Bruins lead by a 9-2 margin:CLOSING TIME: All five of UCLAs losses this season have been by nine points or less. The Bruins had the ball on the final possession with a chance to tie or take the lead in each of them, including the game against Stanford when Rosens fumble was returned for a TD on the final play. Weve got to be more consistent on offense, Roberts said. We cant start off the game hot with two touchdowns, then go three possessions in a row with three-and-outs and have our defense out there getting tired and gassed.RUNNING ROOM: The Bruins are trying to get the running game on track. Theyre averaging 85.5 yards per game. If you look at our numbers, or our record, it doesnt define who we are, tailback Bolu Olorunfunmi said. Just keep working.KICKING WOES: Colorado kicker Davis Price took over for Diego Gonzalez after Gonzalez tore his Achilles tendon earlier in the season. But Price is still dealing with mono and may not play Thursday. That leaves Chris Graham as option No. 1, followed by punter Alex Kinney. We definitely would like to score more touchdowns than kick field goals, MacIntyre said.ANOTHER RECORD: Liufau will tie the school record for most starts by a Colorado quarterback on Thursday. Hes already set or tied 81 school records. Its a blessing to be able to play so long in college football, Liufau said. But sadly that also means that its almost over.LINDSAY UPDATE: Phillip Lindsay, the tailback with the wild hair and fitting nickname of Tasmanian Devil, is steadily recovering from a tweaked ankle. He leads the Buffaloes in yards rushing (745) and all-purpose yards (998). Hes 100 percent healthy. His hair looks good, too, MacIntyre said. I told him dont cut it.---AP freelancer Dan Greenspan in Los Angeles contributed.---More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '