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SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is refusing to stand for the national anthem before games because he believes the United States oppresses African Americans and other minorities.Kaepernick sat on the teams bench Friday night during the anthem before the Niners played host to the Green Bay Packers in an exhibition game. He later explained his reasoning in an interview with NFL 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 said. 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.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Saturday that players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.The 49ers issued a statement after Pro Football Talk initially reported on Kaepernicks stand, saying that Americans have the right to protest or support the anthem.The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame ceremony, the team 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.Coach Chip Kelly said Saturday that he had not talked with Kaepernick about his actions or comments but said that Kaepernick also did not stand for the national anthem before last weeks game in Denver when he was injured and did not play.We recognize his right to do that, Kelly said. Its not my right to tell him not to do something. Thats his right as a citizen.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.Kaepernick is not the first U.S.-based athlete to use the anthem for protest. In 1996, NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the anthem, saying the United States had a history of tyranny and doing so would conflict with his Islamist beliefs. The NBA initially suspended Abdul-Rauf for his stance before it was lifted when he said he would stand and pray silently during the song.Kaepernick said he is not worried about any potential fallout from his protest.This is not something that I am going to run by anybody, he told NFL Media. 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.Kaepernicks agent did not immediately return a request for comment.Kaepernick is in competition to win back the starting quarterback job in San Francisco that he lost to Blaine Gabbert last season. He made his first appearance of the preseason on Friday night after missing two games with a tired shoulder. He finished 2 for 6 for 14 yards and added 18 yards on four runs.Kelly said Kaepernick is still in the running to win the starting job and his protest wont impact the decision.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Stitched NBA Jerseys . JOHNS, N. NBA Jerseys Store https://www.nbachinajerseys.us/ . One game after a miserable showing in Oklahoma City, Gay tied a career high with 41 points and the Sacramento Kings cruised to a 114-97 victory at the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Cheap NBA Jerseys . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Clearance NBA Jerseys . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Los Angeles Rams running back Tre Mason, from whom the team hasnt heard despite multiple attempts to contact him, was admitted for evaluation to a hospital in late July after his mother called police in South Florida, saying Mason was acting strangely.According to a police report, Palm Beach County Sheriffs officers arrived at his mothers house in Lake Charleston, Florida, after Tina Mason called to report that Tre Mason was acting unusual and making irrational statements.Rams officials said Tuesday that they have tried several times to get in touch with Mason, who was arrested in March on charges of reckless driving, marijuana possession and resisting arrest. The team has been in contact with Masons family and his agent, Bus Cook, but has been unable to get answers about his condition or his whereabouts.According to the police report, Tre Mason told officers that he was going to call the White House and we were all going to lose our jobs and that the police were responsible for teaching al-Qaida how to fly planes.Police observed that a hole had been punched in the wall of Masons bedroom, and there was a broken vase and lamp in the room as well. Police determined that Mason wasnt fit to make decisions for himself at the time, and he was taken to the hospital for a small laceration on his hand as well as observation.ddddddddddddAccording to the report, Mason also applauded the officers, telling them that he was used to being the entertainment for others, but now (officers) were his entertainment.Rams tackle Greg Robinson has been in contact with Mason at some point during the offseason via text, but officials said that communication has been complicated because Mason has changed his cell phone number multiple times.Right now, were more concerned with Tre Masons well-being than we are his football career, Rams coach Jeff Fisher told reporters at Rams training camp over the weekend. Were going to continue to try to reach him to see where hes at.Officially, Mason is on the Rams reserve/did not report list, so he doesnt count against their 90-man training camp roster.TMZ Sports first reported that Mason was admitted for evaluation by police.Police in Hollywood, Florida, said Mason refused orders to get out of his sports car on March 5, after he was pulled over for going twice the speed limit in a 35 mph zone. Officers said they used a stun gun on Mason twice.ESPN Staff Writers?Dan Graziano and Adam Caplan contributed to this report. ' ' '