UPDATE: Myke Tavarres has apparently changed his mind and will stand for the anthem.
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Colin Kaepernick caused quite the backlash across the country when he sat out the national anthem before the San Francisco 49ers preseason game, saying he was not, "going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."
Related: Ex-Kaepernick teammate to the QB: "You should have some f***ing respect"
Now Philadelphia Eagles rookie linebacker Myke Tavarres is joining him in his controversial stand, per ESPN:
"We've got an issue in this country in this day and age, and I feel like somebody needs to step up and we all need to step up," Tavarres said. "We've got that right. There's just a lot going on that people don't want to talk about, and I feel like us as athletes, we're looked at as role models. And I feel like with Colin Kaepernick, he's doing a great job for standing up in what he believes in, and most people may not like that, but that's his opinion, he's entitled to it, and I respect him for doing it."
Tavarres admits he's got nothing to lose as a rookie with no big endorsements. He was an undrafted rookie. But ultimately, this could be a huge headache to the NFL.
The controversial move has already stolen headlines, and it will likely continue to trend as a story heading into the season, assuming the two players remain on their respective teams.
There's a case to be made for the Niners releasing Kaepernick from a football standpoint, but if either (or both players) end up as free agents, the off-field chatter could only intensify.
Players such as Victor Cruz and Alex Boone have both spoken out against Kaepernick's decision. Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks has also spoken out as a supporter of Kaepernick in the sense that his speaking out is, "what makes America great."
