2016 U.S. national anthem protests

During 2016, several professional athletes protested the United States national anthem. The protests began in the National Football League (NFL) after Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers sat during the anthem, as opposed to the tradition of standing, before his team's third preseason game of 2016. Kaepernick also sat during the first two preseason games, but he went unnoticed. The protests have generated mixed reactions and have since spread to other U.S. sports leagues.

2016 U.S. national anthem protests

During 2016, several professional athletes protested the United States national anthem. The protests began in the National Football League (NFL) after Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers sat during the anthem, as opposed to the tradition of standing, before his team's third preseason game of 2016. Kaepernick also sat during the first two preseason games, but he went unnoticed. The protests have generated mixed reactions and have since spread to other U.S. sports leagues.