Former Green Beret Has Message for NFL QB Colin Kaepernick

Authors Clay Martin Military This Week
arrives at the ESPN's BODY at ESPY's Pre-Party at Lure on July 15, 2014 in Hollywood, California.

Kaepernick arrives at the 2014 ESPY’s in Hollywood, CA.  (Photo: The Wrap)

Editor’s note: This column contains strong language that may not be suitable for younger readers or appropriate for the workplace.  

Poor Mr. Kaepernick. It is so unfair the way he has been treated over the years, by this clearly racist country. From the no-good bigots that adopted him and raised him after his biological parents abandoned him, to the middle-class California town that molded him into a professional athlete. Let’s not forget the all-expenses-paid college scholarship, where it is a safe bet he was afforded the luxury of majoring in banging cheerleaders and drinking the alumni associations’ scotch. Allow me to play a song on my microscopic violin while I wipe away the tears.

I could rail on about how I personally believe, as a nation, we have lost our collective minds to the cult of celebrity and overpaid athletes. I don’t watch sports, so I fail to understand how we have decided to worship grown men that play sports for a living. But that is not the focus of today’s rant. You are free to watch and pay for whatever you want. Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem and follow it up with this beauty of a quote, though, has made me madder than hell.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” said Mr. Kaepernick.  “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.”

As a Veteran of this great nation, I am personally insulted. Mr. Kaepernick: You overpaid, prissy-assed, pampered, self-entitled son-of-a-bitch! You are correct that you have the freedom of speech to say what’s on your mind, and to not stand during the national anthem. But never forget that that freedom exists because better men than you died for it! That same freedom is afforded the grand wizard of the KKK, or La Raza, or anyone else that happened to win the lottery of being born in America. The difference is, those guys aren’t getting paid $11 million a year to play a children’s game, and they don’t have any sponsors we can boycott.

Since I was doing assaults into Sadr City when you were still trying to figure out the next panty raid with your frat bros, allow me to share with you some history about that flag that “oppresses black people.” I’m guessing you have no idea what the Iron Brigade is, even though it was mostly made of men from your native Wisconsin. Men who were arguably the hardest ever fielded in the Union Army, “ that flag” is the one they were fighting under when they took a staggering 73 percent casualty rate at Gettysburg. Over the course of the Civil War, 390,000 men in total would die under that flag to end slavery and preserve the Union. And you spit on their graves over the unfairness of 2016.

Perhaps you think Nazi Germany would have treated black Americans better? Well, in 1937 they forced the sterilization of every mixed race child in their borders. I think we can all imagine how this would have gone for your ancestors if they had managed to win the war. Fortunately, 186, 000 men gave their lives under “that flag” to prevent it from happening. Maybe you think the Imperial Japanese were kinder? If you do, then you are delusional. The Japanese were as bad as the Nazis, if not worse, under the Emperor. As many as 107,000 men fighting for the Stars and Stripes paid the ultimate price forcing that empire to its knees.

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Nowadays, the enemy we face — the one I fought against on your behalf, so you can exercise your freedom of speech to insult millions of U.S. veterans — doesn’t actually hate you for your race, only your religion. I guess that is progress? Either way, they would still skin you alive given the chance. And they would smile while they did it. Fortunately, my brothers-in-arms and I would die before we would let that happen. More than 6,000 of us have already died to protect you, your family, your teammates and anyone else you hold dear from terrorists.

In short, to a guy that throws a football for a living, from a guy that will NEVER get to throw a football to his son. (I shredded my rotator cuff free climbing a building in Baghdad to get the drop on some terrorist sons of bitches, part of why I am retired. I can no longer throw a football, a hand grenade or a cold beer without my shoulder screaming, and my last surgeon informed me I also have a limited number of times the rest of my life I can lift my hand over my head.) I count myself very fortunate I am above ground, and all my limbs are still attached. That is a better deal than a lot of guys got. So if you don’t want to stand during the national anthem, fine. But fuck you, the horse you rode in on, your team, and your endorsement deals. I hope you end up selling shoes at Footlocker the rest of your life. You can say whatever you want. But we sure as hell don’t have to pay you for it.

About the author (in his own words): I served in two branches of service, the USMC and the Army. In Mother Corps, I was in the infantry, a Scout/ Sniper, and a Recon Marine. I spent my last year on the all-expenses-paid-cruise-ship USS Nassau, culminating with the invasion of Iraq.

In the Army, I was a Green Beret, with most of my career spent in 3rd Special Forces Group. I was an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) Communications SGT, Intelligence SGT, and finally Team SGT. I was in a Direct Action unit, and I spent time on both the assault and sniper sides of the house. My last assignment, I taught Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat and Low Visibility Operator for three years. I retired in 2013.

In addition to blasting peoples’ faces off, I have shot a lot of paper/steel as a competitor. I have shot most of the major 3-Gun matches on the circuit, and currently hold a Master Rating in USPSA production. I don’t shoot IDPA because they don’t make a fishing vest in Barrel Chested Freedom Fighter size. When I’m not writing for GunsAmerica, I teach gunfighting through my company Off The Reservation, and occasionally run my mouth via Facebook.

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  • Dick Mann December 1, 2021, 7:32 pm

    I’m a fellow veteran, service connected, and while I have my limbs my mind has been fractured from war. I have PTSD, I don’t sleep, I’m always looking over my shoulder, I’m afraid to go outside at times and a lot of other shit that comes with seeing the realities of war. I’ve seen good men die so some pansy ass piece of shit, who’s never actually experienced any racism, can bitch about how bad he and black people have under this so called racist flag. I’ve fought against an enemy that would kill you just because you are American. While they may think you are, I say you don’t even have a right to be called an American! Rich pansy ass! Maybe you’d be happier in Afghanistan, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, etc. I hope you end up smoking all your money and end up some broke piece of shit addict on the streets. The same streets I ended up on because I didn’t get help with my PTSD and the same streets many of my fellow soldiers are on.

    My brothers are many races. We don’t see skin, we see blood. You keep seeing race and see where that gets you. Already no one will sign you, no one wants to deal with you, many Americans like myself want you dead, and the rest would fuck you up if they ever saw you. Fuck you, you race hustling piece of shit. I hope you and others like Ilhan Omar, Ibrahim X whatever, Biden, the white woman who thinks she’s black, and the rest of you lot catch COVID19 and die horribly! Fuck you and fuck Joe Biden!!

  • 1SG Peters January 9, 2020, 4:16 pm

    Roger that, brother. Every swinging dick and chick should have to serve 2 years AFTER military schools are complete and then they’ve earned the opportunity to go to college, play ball , or do whatever these oxygen theiving, Twinkie eating, cupcakes want to do with their lives.

  • Bob S July 29, 2019, 9:13 pm

    yep, SCREW Kapernick and the whole NFL.
    I gave up a leg and eye and a lifetime of health fighting for America!
    The NFL denigrated everybodys service and they can all KISS my ASS.
    little capernick can go play his RACE CARD elsewhere along with the NFL.
    All they do is play with LITTLE BALLS!!

  • Jim m July 3, 2019, 2:28 pm

    blame the press for kaperdick this dummy didnt start sitting down or kneeing till he knew his sorry ass was benched for the season!!!!! he had no way to justify 20.000.000 pay for a shitty player so he created a reason
    for benching him disrespect for the flag and police this prick wasn’t a team player at all it was all about his flake bullshit!!!! he isn’t black!
    he isn’t a great player!
    Fuc NIKE!

  • Shan March 25, 2019, 6:36 pm

    I will never ever ever be a Niners fan ever again because of Crapperpick. Now I see why Jim Harbaugh left.
    BLACK CRIMES MATTER!!!!! Plus the dudes even less black than Obama. Phoney.

  • Andrew N. March 3, 2019, 10:23 am

    Thank you and well said Clay! I am a 100% Disabled Vet and appreciate all you said about that POS Kapernick. The saddest part of the whole story is he started that movement not as a protest, but to avoid being cut. ( He could claim racism at that point ) His “Black Experience” comes from watching “Boys in the Hood” as he, as you mentioned, was raised by a nice, White, middle-class family in places that didn’t hold his race against him. He had to grow an Afro to “look” Black, as he was usually pegged as a person of Middle Eastern descent. The reason no team wants him is his style of play. If it really worked in the NFL, Tim Tebow would be the top QB in the league, and Michael Vick would be in the Hall of Fame.

  • mtman2 March 1, 2019, 9:08 pm

    The truly sad truth is he\’s right.
    However folks Kapernitwit is not the source of the prob – only a result…American education has been allowed by \”WE the People\”.
    As you read this FedEd/NEA=(D)\’s are indoctrinating a far far worse message then his age group got.* This generation now will be full scale brainwashed socialist/Marxist-Commies and will have no inkling of America\’s value to the world.- DO – search the title…
    \”Communist Goals for America\”
    – as was read into the Congressional Record in 1963 as what their 45 goals were.**Take 10 minutes to read them**IF you don\’t = you really don\’t care so don\’t complain anymore…My father was in firefights w/Communist terrorists as a Eastern European farmboy to save his mother + 6 sisters from rape by 4 of them at age 17 being all the men in his family were dead.
    He used a 7mm Mauser intentionally wounding two in the leg for trying to kill him.He later fled to America missing WWII.
    I grew up + told daily how lucky I was to be an American saying –
    \”that many of the people born here for generations do not get it\”
    Stated in the 60\’s – he\’d be 117 now.WE have one chance left….to speak the truth boldly esp to the young as who WE actually were + should be again which rested on1) Honoring God/Christ+Scripture
    2) Courage to stand for God given Liberty Rights
    3) Firearms w/passed on personal proficiency in their safety + use.ie = \”GOD – guts + guns\”see
    wallbuilders.com
    krisannehall.comListen to their daily radio shows+podcasts – review their archives daily + any chance you can.
    Also see
    hillsdale.com
    prageru.comIt started here w/the Mayflower Compact by the Pilgrim+Puritans to start a New World….over there for them it was the \”Reformation by Luther\” to understand the true source of \”freedoms under Liberty\” which were then Founded only here + pointed out as so by George Washington himself = the Father of America.
    One of the greatest men in human history – he grasped it and stood for it to make it a reality thru incredible odds for 7yrs as he + our Founding peoples trusted in His Providential Hand as they so stated in 1776 in the last line of our DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE when they –
    \”pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honors\”.
    This while 1/2 of us don\’t even vote = esp in the very crucial Primary\’s to oust parasitic career politicians and install Patriot Constitutionalists

  • Charlesebradford February 18, 2019, 12:00 am

    Capernick is a fn trader fuckin leave this country u piece of shit

  • Willie-O January 19, 2019, 8:30 am

    Clay –
    First and foremost, thank you for your service and sacrifice. I never served, but did wear a badge. Never killed any unarmed, innocent, oppressed “people of color” either. Neither did any of the officers I worked with. As for the article…..AMEN. I couldn’t care less about watching a bunch of grown “men” in tights running around playing a fucking child’s game either. I feel the same about all sports. What bothers me the most is that these players are relevant in our fucked up society. Same goes for all these celebrities – actors, actresses, singers, etc. The fact that anything they think or say “matters” is way beyond concerning, but it does. Just think about how many people in this country today hang on their every word and thought. At the same time, these mindless idiots don’t even have a basic comprehension of things that really matter – current events, accurate history…..the list is endless. I try to remain positive. I try to stay informed. And I vote – again, thank you.

  • Kevin C Fries January 7, 2019, 12:32 am

    Awesome article. I am a u.s. army vet an work the streets every day as a cop every non working collect from the govt weasel love kapernick. Enough said

  • Barrett Sullivan Liveakos October 18, 2018, 12:19 pm

    My late grandfather’s both served in WWII. While Captain John V. Sullivan dropped bombs on the nazis in Berlin; a world away Black Gang Sailor Gus Liveakos was busy abandoning ship(USS Mississinwa) after it had been hit by the only known Kamikaze submarine(a two manned torpedo). Needless to say, it is a wonder that I am even here but certainly not a mystery. It is because of these brave men and women that run towards the sound of gunfire to lay their lives on the line for the freedoms that we hold so dear, that I can raise my son’s to stand for the flag in the greatest country in the world. God bless you Sergeant and all the men and women in arms at this very moment across the globe. You all are in our hopes and prayers as each day passes. Thank You and God Bless America

  • Gregory Coats October 9, 2018, 9:00 pm

    Reading your article brought me close to tears. Commie Capadik needs a big kick upside his head!

  • Pete October 5, 2018, 11:48 pm

    Thank you, Sargent for your service and sacrifice!! I think that Kaepernick and his overpaid, squatting buddies, should be given one opportunity to seriously make their point. Instead of spouting their incessant b.s., give them the chance to pick out any one of 50 Special Forces soldiers go toe to toe with and give us all a real halftime show! If they win that little contest, they can squat during the National Anthem for the rest of their careers. If they lose, they agree to a 1 year vacation in the sandbox with some REAL men and women!

  • James Nipper October 5, 2018, 2:54 pm

    Right on brother. Try asking them (players) what they are doing off the field to help their cause. Nothing. They are Just trying to force everyone to watch them disgrace America.

  • Gary Jo January 16, 2018, 9:42 pm

    My hat is off to you. From one SF to another that was great what you said. Thank you Sgt. and welcome home.

  • Amanda Davey November 19, 2017, 8:18 pm

    I appreciate some one else that feel about Caperick the way I do. I served in Vietnam,Iraq, and Afghanistan.My father fought
    at the Battle of the Bulge and my grandfather fought in the Ardanne Forest in WW1. My family goes all the back to the
    revolutionary war where 24 generations earlier that grandfather fought for Francis Marion known as the Swamp Fox.I have been all over the world and no where is there a better place to live than right here in the United States. If Capernick hates it
    here so much he should just leave the county. Good Riddence!!

  • Mike H. November 17, 2017, 8:07 pm

    Nothing left to say! Your story makes me Proud to be an American and Proud to be a veteran! Thank You very much for Your Service! And Piss On the overpaid little boys that play their kiddy game!

  • Carl November 17, 2017, 2:06 pm

    Huzzah. Couldn’t have said it any better. My dad was a gunner on a B17 for the 15th AAC flying without fighter escort for the longest time. He never did reminisce much about the war while alive but after he had passed a lot of history came to pass. All I can say was they and ALL men and women who have withstood the horrors of combat have my deepest and most profound adoration and respect.

  • Robert S. England November 17, 2017, 6:53 am

    Mr. Clay Martin hurry for you I agree with you 100% Thank you for being so honest.Keep up the good work your articles and videos are the best.

  • Renee McKee September 25, 2017, 12:56 am

    I agree with Donald Trump\’s you should fire these football players that disrespect the national anthem . Infact I think it\’s a under statement , I think they should leave this great country and live in a less fortunate country . These over paid dumb ungrateful basturds and there team manager s who support this as well. Leave ,get the hell out of here …. Go live in poverty in a country where you have no chance for wealth , fame or any of that stuff and you would cry like a little bitch there as well. People like these degenerates are displeased no matter how good they have got it.. maybe instead of gay ass foot ball you crybaby\’s could make a living trying to change the world instead of bitching about it. I am no rocket scientist by no means, but what I do have is common sense and respect.. I\’ve know this world is imperfect and unfair since I was a kid. I\’m not going to piss and moan because it won\’t change a thing. All you can do is love one another and help each other every chance you can and that\’s making a difference!! Show love not disrespect … Anybody not happy and hate this country .. leave and never come back do us all a huge favor ….I\’m very sure Lots of veterans would gladly escort you to thee airport to see all the haters leave this nation once and for all.

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:30 pm

      Amen to that.

      • John D Whitworth September 28, 2017, 9:45 am

        Second the amen

    • Julius Moore November 17, 2017, 12:14 pm

      So it’s ok that police are killing unarmed black men on the streets, in front of their children in at least one case. You people suggest that we all just go somewhere else if we don’t like what’s going on? I am am American Soldier, a black American and proud to have served amung the 1%. I know the history of our flag, I also know the history of injustices commited upon black Americans, even in the military, but my protest makes you uncomfortable so you choose to not deal with the real issue hear. Those NFL players are protesting injustice, but most of you people commenting wouldn’t have a clue as to what that is. I fought and served for the right for every American, to speak up and protest as they see fit. Wake up and see the real issue here…..but you won’t do that because you somehow think that people of color should be thankful and just say yes sur! Leave the country and never come back…..wow! You truly are a bigot, and the sad part is you fail to realize it.

      • B Jones December 14, 2017, 12:47 am

        What’s truly sad is that you are the worst kind of bigot, and OBVIOUSLY don’t realize it. You honestly believe that modern-day injustice happens only to black Americans? It happens to all races…black, white, whatever…want to know the difference? Not all of them want to have violent protests afterwards and loot businesses that people have put their entire lives into. Are there police officers who take things too far? Very likely, but to say it is only directed at blacks is just plain ignorant to me. Who do these folks call when there may be a shooting in their neighborhood, or some unsavory character comes into their house in the middle of the night? I’m guessing it is not Jesse Jackson…but you can be damned sure it is the same police they will throw bricks at. While I truly do appreciate your service to this great country, and putting your life on the line so we are ALL able to enjoy the freedom that being an American citizen entails…I find your rhetoric that only black people are being wronged absolutely disgusting. By the way, if you would actually have read the previous comments you would know that none of them said “people of color should just be thankful and say yes sur”…sir being misspelled…they were saying that if people who make millions of dollars to play a game feel oppressed in some way then maybe they should go elsewhere and try it out.

      • Dan December 14, 2017, 5:34 am

        BS , I think your just using the race card. And black cops have shot unarmed white people before too. And just like Obama, that hipocrite wouldn’t allow any criticism without calling the race card

      • Thomas A Girouard January 12, 2018, 11:57 am

        Those mis-informed grown men playing a kids game for a living really have no idea what they are protesting for , they are just a bunch of sheep , wanting to support Kapernicki ,with his little protest , we are family , let’s unite – what a bunch of Idiots. You are uniting against your country , the brave men and women who have fought in all the battles to protect your rights , and you are stepping on the American people who respect their country , you know they are alot of your fans, I’m really curious to see what next season holds in-store for the NFL ,when alot of your high paying season ticket holders decide to save their money and not fund a bunch of brain damaged fools that think they need to force their politics on the fans.
        Now about police brutality , ya you’re right every law enforcement officer goes to work every day with the goal of killing somebody , there are approx 700,000 law enforcement officers nation wide , on the street , in schools , working the jails , that’s 700,000 of them making at least 5 – 10 personal contacts a day with the general public , well let’s see how well your math is , that’s about 3.5 million – 7,000,000 dealings with people a day and I can’t remember the last time I heard an unarmed black man gunned down in the streets , no not yesterday or the day before or last week or last month. I think law enforcement needs to take a knee on every NFL team out there and protest the stupidity of the league and knuckleheads like you Julius Moore .

      • John Jones, Ph.D. January 16, 2018, 9:09 pm

        Buddy, I appreciate your service to our country. I am a veteran of both the 4th and 25th I.D. In Vietnam. No matter the color, we are “brothers in arms”. But, I just wish the black community would speak out against the overwhelming “black on black” shootings/crime as strongly as they fight against the perceived social, police, and government inequities/crimes.

    • Charley Nevels January 4, 2018, 10:38 am

      Amen Brother[USMC]

  • Renee McKee September 25, 2017, 12:48 am

    I agree with Donald Trump’s you should fire these football players that disrespect the national anthem . Infact I think it’s a under statement , I think they should leave this great country and live in a less fortunate country . These over paid dumb ungrateful basturds and there team manager s who support this as well. Leave ,get the hell out of here …. Go live in poverty in a country where you have no chance for wealth , fame or any of that stuff and you would cry like a little bitch there as well. People like these degenerates are displeased no matter how good they have got it.. maybe instead of gay ass foot ball you crybaby’s could make a living trying to change the world instead of bitching about it. I am no rocket scientist by no means, but what I do have is common sense and respect.. I’ve know this world is imperfect and unfair since I was a kid. I’m not going to piss and moan because it won’t change a thing. All you can do is love one another and help each other every chance you can and that’s making a difference!! Show love not disrespect … Anybody not happy and hate this country .. leave and never come back do us all a huge favor ….I’m very sure Lots of veterans would gladly escort you to thee airport to see all the haters leave this nation once and for all.

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:31 pm

      Amen again.

  • Cecil huffman November 6, 2016, 1:43 am

    I have had enough UNTILL the NFL does some thing with the players taking a knee I will turn my back on them , no more football for me the only thing I will do is find who sponsors them and boycott them, I like ve this country and if the NFL dosnt then I am done with them I love football, baseball, basketball, but I can live without all of hem UNTILL you do better, so all that I can say is so long UNTILL you deserve my business again sincerely Cecil Huffman

    • Gregory williams August 6, 2017, 10:01 pm

      I love America, but you can not defend the way African Americans have been treated in this country, Kap is not kneeling for himself but for those who do not have a voice ordinary citizens, we get so offended about the flag, but never discuss the issues. I served 22 years in the US Army. I know how white Nazi Pridoners were treated better that black soldiers who was fighting under the banner of the US of America, black soldiers had to give up there seats for white prisoners, the very country we were defending came back and had to stand outside of restaurants while white prisoners of war got to sit down and be serve. The very cops who swore to uphold justice who wear a flag on their uniform, shoot down unarmed black men for no reason, I am not saying all white cops are bad, because it would be ignorant of me to believe there are no bad black cops or Hispanic cops, but it seems like the ethnicity group being killed are blacks, but when this issue is bought up people always try to steer conversation to black on black crime, never mention white on white crime, but really bashing Kap because he exercise a right to protest, because America is a democracy we are nit a communist country, we gave a constitution that give us rights and just because he did not protest the way you thought he should you have a problem. Let me ask a question what if it was blacks cop unarmed white men and it was Tom Brady or Arron Rogers who decided to take knee how would feel?

      • YeahURight October 4, 2017, 4:36 am

        We are NOT a democracy!!
        We are a constitutional Republic!
        THAT is what our flag STANDS for!

      • Thomas A Girouard January 12, 2018, 12:20 pm

        Gregory , please go on a ride -a-long with the police in a busy city , and see what they deal with on a daily basis , my hats off to them , I give them all the respect , because it’s a job that I bet 99% of the people that support the Colin Kapernicki protest could not handle.
        A question for you Gregory , when was the last time an innocent black man was gunned down in the streets , what you can’t remember ??????? , well by your train of thought ,it sounds like it’s happening all day ,everyday , so let’s protest by stepping on the American flag ? You served 22 years in the military , apparently it was just for a check , because I would think a retired patriot would have more respect in their country and the flag. Lastly you bring up some sort of mistreatment from the world war 2 , nazi days as a reason to justify the protests – that’s a real stretch Gregory , and just curious , were you there to witness the nazi prisoners getting better seats on the bus ,or is it just some hate filled story that you wanted to pass along , from over 70 years ago to continue the poor is me mentality you have with the white folk.

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:31 pm

      Thanks for your input.

  • Todd October 21, 2016, 11:40 pm

    First of all Amen to your well thought out comments. Secondly I would like to say to anyone who feels that this country, which I also served for, does not like it here, no one is keeping you from going somewhere else, in fact I would encourage you to live somewhere else, so that you might come to a realization that things are not so bad here after all. I am sick and tired of the minorities in this country who think they are owed something, you are not owed anything, as I stated before, you think you are being mistreated, get your sorry ass out of my country and see how far your whining gets you somewhere else. Both of my grandparents immigrated to this country through Ellis Island because they desired a better life for their children and themselves and they learned English and did what they had to do in order to be a upstanding citizen. So to those minorities who think they need to shove their cultures down our throats such as thinking we should all speak Spanish, go back to Mexico, this is America and we speak English.

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:32 pm

      Ditto that.

  • Alan Andersen October 18, 2016, 1:40 pm

    Give the guy a scissors and have him trim all the grass around all the crosses in Arlington National Cemetery. He can do this on his knees also.

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:33 pm

      I agree.

  • Barry Hunn September 30, 2016, 12:11 pm

    From a civilian puke who is eternally grateful for the sacrifices of every U.S. service person, the leftist blowhards who have the un-mitigated gaul to profane our country, insult me and heros like yourself should either go play in the deep surf with no fins or leave this cherished country and go where people are not discriminated against….what…..can’t think of a place….hmmm…Well as a 60 year old who jumps to his feet with a lump in his throat at the national anthem, GOD BLESS every service person, cop, fireman and the opposite to every politician in Washington and elitist left winger in the propagandist news media.

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:34 pm

      You are on target.

  • Nicole September 27, 2016, 5:49 pm

    You sir, are ignorant and dare I say racist. You may not believe it…but you are. If you don’t see that the country you fight to protect and preserve does not value the lives of black Americans, nor has it ever, then you are sadly clueless and/or don’t care about the lives of innocent black men and women who are murdered daily by those who are charged with protecting and serving ALL citizens and even non-citizens in this country. You seem to be a bigoted moron.

    • clay September 27, 2016, 10:46 pm

      Dear Nicole,

      Have you ever actually stepped foot outside of Berkely? I guess more importantly, ever been to Africa? I have. And let me tell you something. If you want to talk about a place that doesn’t value black lives, then I suggest we start with Sudan. 2 Million Blacks were killed by Arab Sudanese, and clown shoe dipshits like you DID NOTHING! Maybe you had some fucking guitar circle concert series for Darfur, but you are to much of a chicken shit to have done anything yourself. Or even pressed our government to send people like me. So don’t talk to me about a bunch of overpaid cry babies dishonoring my flag,the only one that has ever shed blood to free a race. If you think it is so bad here, then why don’t you and Mr. Kaepernick head over that way.

      • AD August 6, 2017, 11:52 am

        First of all, Nazi Germany and Hitler was bankrolled by US businesses. Second of all, the civil war wasn’t about fighting for black people because the Constitution remained largely unchanged for years after the war. Just like the mythical civil rights act of 1964. Black people are the only race in this country who have needed amendments to become equal.

        • John Jones, Ph.D. January 16, 2018, 9:28 pm

          What about “women” of all colors who could not vote until 50 years after black men could vote? Hmmmm…..

    • al November 29, 2016, 2:01 pm

      Hey Lady, sorry for using that term so loosely, stop eating those mushrooms and get back to reality! Shit happens, even in a great country like ours……..

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:37 pm

      Disrespecting flag country and veterans is the issue. Everything has to be turned into a racial issue by spoiled baby turds like you.

    • Really November 5, 2017, 7:25 pm

      Seriously? I’m sick of all the whining about how this group or that group is treated so unfairly. Its gotten to the point where such claims are just a card play to push for special treatment. Wake the hell up & put on your big boy/girl underwear & take note that unless you were born privileged (regardless of race, color, & all that other shit that doesn’t matter), then you’re going to have to work your ass off & put up with all the bullshit life’s going to hand you. Does racism & discrimination exist? Sure…but it works in all directions & every new culture in this country gets to take their turn being the “new kid in class”. Be thankful you have the freedom to pitch a bitch without risk if getting your head lopped off. If you don’t want to be screwed with, don’t make yourself a target.

      • Thomas A Girouard January 12, 2018, 12:33 pm

        Wow , Mr. or Ms. Really, I think you nailed it , that is the best and one of the truest comments I think I have ever heard about this topic. Have you ever thought about running for political office , because you have my vote !

    • John Jones, Ph.D. January 16, 2018, 9:21 pm

      Do you even realize that the overwhelming killing of innocent blacks is being committed by other blacks. Do you have any concern for that problem, you feather-brained lib?

  • SB September 9, 2016, 8:32 am

    It’s time for the American People to Walk away from the entities which produce such creatures in abundance….

    Withdraw your interest/financial support for Professional Football, Basketball, NASCAR etc… This is the most effective way to put a stop to the Politically Correct Nonsense being foisted upon the American people. Find and support local activities participate and enjoy local sports..go to the local short track..

    It’s time to ignore that bunch of elitist sphincter muscles who view we the people with disdain and hold us in contempt..

    Is it not completely clear on the whole they view themselves as a “Class Above” and often as not conduct themselves in a reprehensible manner completely inconsistent with the best of American Values?

    It simply is time to walk away from most Professional sports. Hollywood and the Main Stream Press..

    By and large they have been twisted into nothing more than Propaganda Spewing Globalist, Trans Nationalist, Crony Capitalist cons..

    No friends of Liberty, individual rights and freedom..

    It’s time to walk away from them and never look back.

    • Jim September 30, 2016, 11:13 am

      SB, While I tend to agree with much of your remarks I DO object to the reference to NASCAR Drivers and others involved as being on the same level as this jerk. If you ever attend a NASCAR event you will se that this venue DOES honor God and Country and are very supportive of the Military and Law Enforcement. Every Event starts off with the presentation of the US Flag, and prayer lead by a ordained Minister, Priest, Rabbi or other person, followed the the National Anthem where they all stand and either salute or place their hands over their hearts and many also sing along with it. A huge US Flag is also unfurled for all to see. There are also many UNIFORMED Military and Police there and it isn’t just for crowd control, it is because they are welcomed.

  • Matt September 9, 2016, 4:48 am

    I too served in the Marines and I spent six years as a police officer after my end of active service. I agree with every sentiment shared about how disgusting this individual’s behavior is. However, I do wish to mention this… I think it would be much better to have everybody who is offended by Humperdink or whatever this loser’s name is, write a letter expressing their disgust to the owner of the 49’ers. Hell, type up a form letter and send one to each of his sponsors as well, then follow through with the boycotts of all of it until this piece of garbage is forced into obscurity and everybody forgets he exists.

    Semper Fidelis!

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:39 pm

      Great.

    • Larry H Sirmans August 16, 2019, 10:40 am

      absolutely agree with you

  • Dr. William J Dunn September 7, 2016, 9:48 am

    Amen and God bless you, Marine! I am a former SOG, 75th Ranger etc (AirBOURNE!) and a Veteran of The Viet Nam War. Thank you Jesus, for people like you!
    Veteran= one who has written a blank check to America for anything up to and including their life.

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:40 pm

      Amen.

  • Jon September 6, 2016, 11:29 pm

    And our President Obama endorses this ignorance. He was never a true patriot. Thank you for your service to our country!!! I, and my family, appreciate it. Sports are a good pastime, but the money they are paid to play “a child’s game” has always astounded me. That money should go to our soldiers, police force, firefighters, nurses, and teachers that, actually, can have a positive impact on our children and, thus, the future of this country.

  • Batman September 6, 2016, 9:27 pm

    I’d like to throw gasoline on Kaepernick light him on fire, then wrap an American flag around him to put out the fire….after he burns awhile.

    • Elinah August 6, 2017, 9:59 pm

      What is wrong with you?

  • Shirley Andrews September 6, 2016, 4:33 pm

    I used to like Kaepernick, but ever since this has happened, he has lost all respect I HAD. Now he is even playing the part of being a black man with his AFRO. What a WUS!!! Next thing he will be asking for is someone to wipe his ASS!!! I hope the AFL kicks him out for his disrespect, not only to our FLAG, our COUNTRY but the ARMED FORCES. I have been a big fan of the 49’s, but NO MORE. Not unless they get rid of Kaepernick.

  • Linda Gregory September 6, 2016, 12:35 pm

    Kaperdick acts as though he know what oppressed is. Half white half black entitled ass wipe. As a Veteran your actions and comments are offensive. Go to a muslim country to live so you can be treated with respect. Your birth parents did not want you but I’m sure a muslim country will where you will not be oppressed! Move and get what you are entitled to.

  • Mr. Sparkles September 6, 2016, 10:28 am

    Thank you for your service and for explaining to the prissy assed has been that real men work, fight and die to make the world better rather then sit in the sidelines(literally, I hope) and criticize.

    • Gary September 26, 2017, 3:42 pm

      Yes indeed.

  • H.G.S. September 5, 2016, 10:11 pm

    Why was my comment not posted?

  • HGS September 5, 2016, 9:20 pm

    I’m boycotting all football games as long as kapernick play’s anywhere. Disabled Vet here,if you want to hate and disrespect the flag,that’s up to you,but you won’t get my airtime. That’s one of the things that is destroying the U.S.Too many people that never has nor ever will serve our armed forces taking over.

  • fredfarnan September 5, 2016, 3:04 am

    well said clay martin. what should concern us all is that too many people are trying to out do each other with political correctness. the result is we have a backdoor president who in many ways is a greater threat to this nation. my guess is that the desire to be politically correct is a cover for other feelings that do not come to light. i suspect that most black americans are also suspicious of those that spout brotherly love yet segregate themselves once they return home. to the quarterback i would suggest that he put his money where his mouth is and visit north oakland or better yet east oakland and see if he can do some good where the rubber meets the road.

  • Doug Ott September 4, 2016, 5:23 pm

    Well said, Brother.
    I didn’t spend time in the sandbox, mine was Grenada, a much earlier time. These entitled pussies have no idea what Freedom costs, and they would never pay that price. They have no problem abusing the Freedom we bought with sweat and blood.

    Hopefully, in the hereafter, he will have to pay for his disrespect.

  • Peter Nelson September 3, 2016, 5:53 pm

    You said it better than I could, and I thank you for that.

  • Mike September 3, 2016, 2:09 pm

    There’s a little more to the story that the media and the NFL will avoid at all costs, because it explains the real reason Mr.Kaepernick has suddenly come out with the idea of inflicting his agenda publicly on the fans. And the media and the NFL have no intention of it coming out if they can help it.

    As the French wisely say, Cherchez la femme, look for the woman.

    In this case, the woman is hip-hop radio personality DJ Nessa Diab.She’s a Berkeley grad, a very dogmatic outspoken Black Lives Matter advocate and a Muslim. She and Colin Kaepernick are engaged, and Kaepernick converted to Islam during the off season.

    The two are reportedly planning what Kaepernick calls ‘a traditional Muslim wedding.’

    Pretty simple…boy meets radical girl, they find they have interests and ideology in common…except,it’s haram, forbidden for a Muslima (a Muslim girl) to marry a non-believer. This is not to say that Kaepernick wasn’t pretty far along the radical path anyway.

    It’s a real love story…not only do they love the same things, but they can hate the same people too. There are certainly a fair amount of patriotic American Muslims, but many Muslims here follow the Qu’ran which says their first loyalty aside from Allah is to the umma, the worldwide Muslim polity. And no one with much common sense would call the folks at Black Lives Matter remotely patriotic. So it all fits together pretty well.

    Another part of the back story is that both Kaepernick and Nessa Diab have been agitating the 49er’s to trade Kaepernick to New York, where Diab is based. Ideology aside, this might be Kaepernick’s way of adding some fuel to the fire.

    The 49er’s have obviously made a business decision to keep Kaepernick on their roster and, with the collusion of the media, to keep this part of the story covered up. That’s fine, but it is a business decision. And although I have to admit that if I felt that way about America I’d vote with my principles and leave, Colin Kaepernick also certainly has the right not to honor the flag of the country that has treated him so well.

    • Just me September 10, 2016, 8:18 pm

      Thank you for the additional details. I knew the story, but you certainly have added the finer details and explanation I didn’t know.

  • Joyce September 3, 2016, 10:52 am

    After reading your article, I stood up and cheered. My sentiments exactly. Stand up America. If people are soooo offended by what America stands for, them leave and pursue your dreams in another country,. Good luck!

    • Jon September 6, 2016, 11:35 pm

      Mike, your post was very enlightening and should be spread to the masses! People are ignorant and need to know the truth!!

  • Patrick McLain September 3, 2016, 10:28 am

    I to am glad to see someone put this guy in his place. I am so tired of hearing theses athletes and celebrities complain about how things are in our country as they rake in millions of dollars a year. I have never severed in the military but I did serve my local community and retired with 32 years of service from my local Fire Department.I to have seen things during my career that would make most peoples toe nails curl and I am now suffering from conic lower back and hip pain as result of wearing the heavy Firefighting gear for so long. My Father is a retired army officer and severed 22 years and my brother severed in the navy for 4 years.My hat goes off to you sir and all who have put their lives on the line to to protect this great country.

    • Jim Sandefur September 9, 2016, 4:15 pm

      Patrick: You, also are an american hero, being a first responder as a fireman. I am a vet of the Vietnam war era, I deeply respect all of our veterans, police, firemen, Emters, and anyone else who runs towards the problem rather than away from it. That’s why, at 71, I am still a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, who honor all First Responders, that pays their respects, when asked to, to honor them for their ultimate sacrifice. I can no longer ride my Patriotic Motorcycle to the events or funerals of our heroes, because of an injury, but I still can take my 95 Patriotic Jeep Wrangler, painted with flags, bearing two flags on the front of the jeep and a 3×5 flag on the rear. I take a trailer, in case a motorcycle breaks down on a run. I rode with Rolling Thunder, VA Chapter 1 for about 6 years, honoring our vets and POW’s every Memorial Day. I am so glad to finally learn the truth about this muslim loving, Black Lives Matter hating dog faced athlete, because I do believe in the first Amendment, but you cannot yell “Fire” in a theater, and usually there’s a backdoor reason when someone like this dirt-bag that dishonners the American Flag. You have the right to burn the American flag, but God help you, if you try to burn one of my American flags on my property or my vehicle or my vest….Now I hear the Washington NFL team is going to do the same thing. As far as I’m concerned, if anyone doesn’t love the United States of America, then get OUT, NOW. Go to Cuba.
      Somebody see that Fox news or someone can followup on this stinking story.

  • Jerry September 3, 2016, 8:35 am

    Amen, Mr Martin, Amen !!! This guy and the rest like him are a bunch of “give a crap” panty waisted morons.
    Thanks for your service, your honor and the courage to speak up in this left leaning, liberal, socialistic environment of corrupt and butt faced politicians and morons who have never had to defend OUR AMERICAN FLAG !!! I very seriously doubt that this dumb jerk, Kaepernick knows what AMERICA IS ABOUT OR WHAT IT IS. He might want to check to see just how much his own race, BLACK, oppress their OWN people. Blacks kill more blacks and loot their own stores and neighborhoods in the name of “right to protest”. STUPIDISM can’t be cured. Kaepernick is a great example of that.

  • Michael September 3, 2016, 7:44 am

    Well said, Brother. We should all Raise Our Voices, and boycott….in every way possible……all those who disrespect America……..Our Flag……or our Vets. This is Our Country. We fought for it. We shed our blood for it. It is OURS! Semper Fi!

  • John WMiller September 3, 2016, 12:57 am

    Yes you communist chicken shit ass hole, I too have fought for your freedom to disrespect the flag of the nation that puts up with your bullshit. You should in my opinion be blackballed from all professional athletics-period. What the hell kind of a mentor of kids today who strain and practice to be a pro player such as you are? You talk racist–look in the mirror you two bit POS {pile of or piece of-your choice.} Martin Luther King set forth the Jim Crow’s extinction all most. Thing have advanced tremendously for the Black man and them along comes creep like you doing his best to erase what he did. What is your aim, an all out war black vrs white? During the Ferguson event, why was the 290 some murders of blacks killing blacks in such places as Chicago and Detroit not published? Surely you should be proud of that. Finally, if you have no respect for our country’s flag, pack up your shit and get the hell out here, go back to Africa or Haiti, any where but here. Also, inform your team that this follower of your sport will no longer watch any games your team plays until they get rid of you. John

  • kenneth dean risner September 3, 2016, 12:00 am

    if i ever see him in person i’m gonna smack the fukken shit outta him

  • Chris Baker September 2, 2016, 11:33 pm

    The only thing I know about this guy is that he doesn’t love our wonderful country. I’d like to suggest that he and every single person out there who doesn’t bother to show respect for our flag that represents our country to get up off their dead butts and pack up all their stuff, and move to someplace they can feel good about their country. The same thing goes for Obama and his disrespectful wife. I pray constantly that they will find their way to realizing they need to repent of their evil ways and ask God to forgive them for their sins. If they don’t they will surely condemn themselves to eternity in Hell. I wouldn’t even wish that on a terrorist. But it’s their choice. That’s one of the privileges God gave us when he made us. The freedom to choose our own destiny. Like him, way to many choose to be evil.

  • Patriot September 2, 2016, 10:50 pm

    Colin Kaepernick is absolutely an anti-American and also the most disgusting player in professional sports. Why would a professional football team tolerate a player who is ROTTEN TO THE CORE??? Maybe some of the players of his ilk see him as a hero and support his trashing of America that has defended his Constitutional freedoms with the loss of a tremendous number of soldiers who died to keep this country free. This player is undeniably the worst excuse for a American who would stand up and defend this country from terrorists. This player must have the same contempt and hatred toward America as the terrorists.

    • Rouge1 September 3, 2016, 1:43 pm

      Patriot the NFL is full of scum like Colin Kaepernick. It’s run by left wing scum like Colin Kaepernick. Have you been to a pro game? It’s like a non stop leftwing propaganda spouting machine from the first second til the last.

  • El Tigre September 2, 2016, 10:36 pm

    This is for Collin: You have the right to do what you want. I suggest that you do NOT cash those checks you are being given for playing football, after all, they come from a racist, bigoted country. When you get a few more years under your belt, I suggest you travel the world and see all those wonderful countries you apparently dream exist. You may find out that the United States of America is not so bad after all.

  • Mike Beasley September 2, 2016, 10:30 pm

    Mr Clay Martin , Sir you are what the younger generation should be looking up to ,to have someone too be proud of! Sir I’m a 63 yr old man & I’m so very thankful there are Great AMERICANS such as yourself that continues to fight for this country & gives me & that low life scum sucking son of a bitch on the 49er’s team the right to set on his overpaid ass & not stand up during the Star Spangle Banner. All I can say is that hi yellow bastard better never cross my path because I would clean his clock. I’m just waitng for some big ass DEF. player from some other team to really FU*K HIS ASS UP! Color capadick you are a lowlife piece of SHIT!!!

  • David September 2, 2016, 9:44 pm

    Thank you for your service.

  • Gunny Grunt 0311 September 2, 2016, 9:34 pm

    Colin wasn’t black, until it was convenient for him he was raised white by white folks who gave him everything he never knew what the “BLACK EXPERIENCE” was. He met someone who wanted to make him a convert. He never had any balls to do what he needed to. Spoiled, privilidged, college paid for, drafted and made lots of money for a couple of years before he realized he was half black then he abandoned himself. He has the right to do whatever he wants to, say whatever he wants to. That is a guarantee. Tell me then why doesn’t he find a Muslim nation that would accept him and his commie girl friend with his millions, or he could use that money in any local ghetto. His conscience hasn’t caused him to donate millions to BLM has it , hypocrite. I’m a Marine who has sacrificed my time and blood so that he can be FREE to say what he wants. One day he’ll grow a pair and stand tall to honor and respect the country who ga e him opportunity and wealth. Or he can quit the team and go live in a mud hut, otherwise I don’t give a fuck if I ever waste my time watching this spoiled converted pussy ever again, mud hut and eat shit!

    • EDOGZ818 September 3, 2016, 1:01 am

      Semper Fi!
      With all due respect Gunny, you’re only seeing the issue from one perspective.
      Being raised by white folks, abandoned by white birth mother for being Black, it’s almost a sure thing that he was surrounded by people who felt like you & reminded him of his Blackness daily.

      White people being offended by Black people not appreciating unfair treatment, is like Nazi’s being offended by Jews not being sacrifice about the Holocaust. To Black people, historically speaking, Uncle Sam is like Hitler without an oven.

      Imagine getting out of the Corps after losing both legs in combat & the Corps not taking care of you / paying you.
      That’s like USA not making things right with Black people after slavery. A legit debt is owed & Black people’s BONDAGE is a direct result of it being unpaid.

      Pre 14th amendment, only Blacks needed permission to ride a horse, hunt, fish, buy a gun, marry, build a house, engage in business, travel, etc…..Post 14th amendment = Every US Citizen needing PERMISSION…….just like Black people.
      Equality?
      I guess.

      • Rouge1 September 3, 2016, 2:03 pm

        Edogz818 I think those who fought for that slavery and injustice should pay, not those who fought against it or had nothing to do with it. The only living breathing institution of slavery today is the Demacrat party. It was the demacrats both in the north and south who did everything in their power to keep slavery alive. When that failed they created the KKK to murder and terrorize all those who were for blacks having equal rights and those were against the party. So in all fairness the party of slavery’s assets should be auctioned off and sold for reperations to the desendants of former slaves.

        • BUSHMASTER0369 September 3, 2016, 9:46 pm

          Start with “LYING HILLARY CLINTON’S MILLIONS, about 100,000,000.00

      • Bushmaster0369 September 3, 2016, 8:35 pm

        EDOGZ818, Boy you can tell your a BLACK with the most ridiculous, ignorant, uninformed, prejudicial, anti-white statement that if it wasn’t so pitiful would be a great laugh. Your statement says, “That’s like USA not making things right with Black people after slavery. A legit debt is owed & Black people’s BONDAGE is a direct result of it being unpaid”. A ligimate debt is owed, you must be insane. Lets correct that statement, “YOU BLACKS ARE THE ONES WHO STARTED YOUR BLACK SLAVERY IN THE EARLY YEARS OF AMERICA”. HOW, WHAT, WHEN???

      • Bushmaster0369 September 3, 2016, 10:03 pm

        EDOGZ818, I will not be as nice and kind as the Gunny. Anyone can tell by your log you are a BLACK and it appears from your statement you are still looking for the white man to give you BLACKS something for nothing. Your specific statement saying, “That’s like USA not making things right with Black people after slavery. A legit debt is owed & Black people’s BONDAGE is a direct result of it being unpaid”. A legitimate debt is owed, WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP YOUR THINKING IS, unless of course you’re another BLACK wanting more for doing nothing. Sounds like you would be a great BLM (black lives matter) as they are uninformed, unknowledgeable, prejudicial, talking that white people should pay their rent, give them their jewelry, buy the tickets to events, give them cars and when whitey runs out of money, he/she should kill themselves because they are white privileged. Let’s get back to your statement above! BLACKS were not the first slaves, there have been slaves since Neanderthal man, throughout all the world, and all the countries, IT WAS NOT THE POOR BLACK MAN OR WOMAN!!! The part of history you are referencing is your own BLACK RACE causing your “BONDAGE” so go to those I mention for your “Reparations”! The first BLACK that started slavery was a free BLACK and he got the tribal chiefs to raid the neighboring tribes and get him some workers. The tribal chiefs liked the trade and money they were given and the BLACK TRADER got a few workers for his friends. Along came the Europeans and I’ll call him “WHITEY”. Everyone prospered except the tribal members who were turned from workers to slaves. Yes, they were bought (wrongly) and some were taken to America BUT you also neglect to say they were also taken around the world. Sooooooooo if you want to play the blame game, and you want another freebee by whitey, go see the tribal chiefs, the black traders, and the black countries that allowed the capturing and selling of people (and they all weren’t black). OWED, REPARATION, DEBT UNPAID, it’s time you read some history which is just that HISTORY, something did happen, it can’t be undone only to be used to insure it never happens again. SORRY PAL BUT I AM SICK OF WHITEY BEING BLAMED FOR YOU BLACKS TRYING TO GET SOMETHING ELSE WITHOUT WORKING FOR IT.

    • Jerry September 3, 2016, 8:38 am

      DooRah, Gunny !!!! Well said. Semper Fi

  • Jim September 2, 2016, 9:11 pm

    I agree with you, I don’t watch paid sports & even though he has a right to freedom of speech he should remember how he got that freedom. I know there have been athletes that have “shed blood” to give him that right but I don’t think any of them would sit through the National Anthem. If he doesn’t like this country he should just leave! There are other ways of getting his thoughts to the public. And after all, all of our ancestors had problems. Maybe we should all riot in the streets everytime anyone of any race is killed, soon we wouldn’t have homes to live in or stores to buy food, ect. from, they would all be burned down.

  • Sharon Quattrachi September 2, 2016, 8:24 pm

    This was the best letter to date written to that low life Colin. I will never watch or go another football game where he plays. God bless you and God bless America,

  • Sharon Quattrachi September 2, 2016, 8:24 pm

    This was the best letter to date written to that low life Colin. I will never watch or go another football game where he plays. God bless you and God bless America,

  • Chuck Garnes September 2, 2016, 7:47 pm

    This turd is a rebel without a valid cause, wants to make noise and be noticed. I’m fed up with these idiots that want to downgrade the flag we served under just so he can run his face and make a “statement”. Here’s your statement stupid, If our flag insults you so much get a ticket going to some other country and gain citizenship there, then see if you can make the same money playing kids games… puke.

  • Greg Yancey September 2, 2016, 6:10 pm

    I support his right to free speech bought and paid for with blood. I personally hope his bowls fill with worms.

  • Jimmbbo September 2, 2016, 5:11 pm

    Well said, Sgt Martin! Colin K-dick SHOULD sit on his arrogant, overpaid, ignorant ass because in fact, he is NOT WORTHY to stand to respect the thousands of current service military and veterans who fought under the Stars and Stripes. He is a pansy assed punk with a room temperature IQ and NO connection with reality.
    Through dozens of lean years and the stratospheric highs of the Bill Walsh era, I have been a 49er fan since I saw my first NFL game at Kezar Stadium…
    I have NEVER been so pissed off at ANY professional athlete, and to think that the NFL and 49er management can tell WHAT stickers they may or may not wear, tell their man children players WHEN to celebrate, WHERE to be, WHEN to be there, WHEN to go to bed and then ALLOW this scumbag to “voice his first amendment rights” is utter BULLSHIT

  • ron September 2, 2016, 5:05 pm

    If u live hear in USA and don’t like are Way’s get out .

  • Richard Hammill September 2, 2016, 4:40 pm

    You make me proud to be an American !

  • BRUCE BRADLEY September 2, 2016, 4:18 pm

    God bless you Clay & thank you for your selfless service to our great country!

  • MF FANELLI September 2, 2016, 4:07 pm

    I’m sick of all this talk. What I’d like to see is someone walk up & bitch-slap this puke, like the movie guy said,”If there’s something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action”. Somebody has access to this bastard-they need to straighten his ass out.
    We all have to do more than talk, I don’t care if you “served” or not-there is no end to doing right. If someone disrespects this country shout them down or slap them down. I exhort all of my fellow veterans & all those who call themselves American to action. Don’t put up with this shit. If you see something don’t just say something-do something! Or don’t you believe what we’ve all said, “NOT ON MY WATCH!”

  • Terrance Johnson September 2, 2016, 3:17 pm

    I’ve been a 49er fan majority of my natural life(30yrs), every since Ronnie Lott messed up his finger and finished the game. Got everything from, locker signs, socks, underware, rubberbands, hats, stickers, place mats, blankets, jerseys, helmets etc:, But I will not watch a game or purchase one more NFL product as long as Colen caperdick! Is in the league! He is disrespectful to what AMERICA means! That is poor sportsmanship to not participate in FULL with your team! Team mates are to be your brothers in arms! I would never turn my back on my brothers no matter how much I disagree…. I think the GM for the 49ers should sale the team and the league should ban Caperdick! Discracing our flag which stands for freedom makes you in fact a TERRORIST! If a country of millions can grow passed Slavery and mold itself into a super power, you Coward Caperdick should also grow passed your uneducated words of sympathy which point out your ignorance directly apologize to the young WOMAN YOU DATE RAPED!!! And America for being Born w/such foul language! And if our country is as strong as we believe, let’s just get rid of him! Send him to Korea, or Singapore! See if they’ll play you on their football teams! We don’t need you or anyone who favors you or your way of thinking on or in or around HOOD OLE AMERICAN SOIL! Bye bioooootch!

  • Patricia Sanford September 2, 2016, 3:08 pm

    I thank God almighty every day for men like you..My husband was a currier in Vietnam after our codes were being broken by the Viet Cong and Russian’s!!! My brother in law sent messages to our armed forces, he had a guard who would shoot him if the town was over run, they changed guards often, so they could do their “job” !!!

  • Bob Ziel September 2, 2016, 2:47 pm

    While Clay Martin’s language was a bit rough, I fully understand his sentiment. I do sympathize with him since I, too, am a veteran (Navy-Vietnam).
    Kaepernick is an ungrateful bum who earns millions of dollars annually, but yet he has the nerve to complain about society in our country. Every year more and more minorities in all fields of work are gaining additional opportunities in our country as it should be since discrimination is so very wrong.
    Clay Martin is a U.S. Army & Marine (Semper Fi) hero put his ass on the line to protect our freedoms so Kaepernick could have the right to express his twisted views so freely. — Bob Ziel

    • Crusty Rusty September 4, 2016, 10:34 pm

      Totally agree thanks clay took the words right out of my mouth

  • J D September 2, 2016, 2:32 pm

    Wow! The bigot brigade is on the march! The response to this bigoted article is enlightening. Between the hero worship of military members who fight the fabricated boogeymen of lying politicians (Bush in Iraq and Afghanistan), and the easy hating of a man standing (well, sitting actually) for what he believes in, I’m not sure what to think of my fellow gun owners and veterans. I would hope that we are better than that, but I guess not. The percentage of people on this thread willing to say this football player has a right to protest is shockingly small. Thankfully, I’m not too upset because I’m the biggest bigot of them all. I hate people in general! I discriminate equally. (I love my dog, however, cause he’s colorblind and not so judgmental). I’m sorry my tax dollars are supporting someone writing such crap.

    • CJ September 2, 2016, 10:37 pm

      Be careful JD. These people on here will try to take your gun next. I am alway amazed at people who say we have freedom of expression and freedom of speech in this country. That is until someone expresses themself or says something that they don’t like. To those people I say tha you don’t have a clue as to what the American stands for. As an american citizen, I may not like what some racist, bigot, skin head, KKK member, black panther or other group may say but, I would fight for there right to say it. No one seems to be listening to the reason why he is taking a knee or siting down. This country has written several check that have bounced. I am still waiting on my 40 acres and a mule. I trying to figure out why I am 2.5 time likely to have a bad out come when I am involved in a traffic stop. I am wondering why even with an 850 credit score that an auto dealer wants to charge me a higher interest rate over some white guy who has a lower credit score. Don’t take my word for it. Used the internet and do some research. Maybe then you will understand. You want all this stuff to go away. Start treating balck, brown and other folks as equal citizens of this country.

      • Rouge1 September 3, 2016, 2:29 pm

        You tell JD be careful they may want to take your gun then you make references about the kkk and black panthers? Sounds like your problem is the Demacrat party aka the party of slavery the kkk, jim crow and so on. The 40 acres and a mule thing that you are still waiting for, the great slave owning Demacrat Andrew Jackson rescinded the order and vetoed the expansion of the freedman bureau. I do think that the living breathing institution of slavery that terrorize all those people should have to pay reparations to the desendants of those they murdered and terrorize and enslaved. You won’t get anything out of a flag that has stars and bars but the institution that’s still thriving today should pay for their sins and transgressions of yesterday and that party is the Demacrat party.

    • Dewey September 2, 2016, 10:47 pm

      I completely agree JD. Bind patriotism is as dangerous and corrosive as blind faith. The hero worship of the military (and police) is completely out of control in this country. It’s funny (in a sad way) that these guys claim to fight for our “freedoms” but when someone (or anyone) exercises said freedoms in a way in which they disagree, the claws come out. I guess we have freedom of speech, as long as that speech is approved of by the “heroes”. Most of these people have no idea of the actual history of the creepy pledge of “allegiance”, that it was written by a socialist to indoctrinate children into the idea of fealty to the state. Nor does anyone (apparently) notice that the anthem has become little more than a “loyalty test”. There is little more frightening to the livestock than one of their number that can actually think for themselves. The idea that service to war profiteers is the only valid type of service to one’s country is warped. To all of the veterans who served, you’re welcome. Without our tax dollars, you wouldn’t be paid or have your cool toys.

      • Rouge1 September 3, 2016, 2:34 pm

        Dewey your freedom of speech is protected from government intrusion. It’s not protected from criticism. Actually the NFL can discharge him because of his free speech. BTW nothing is free.

  • Mark September 2, 2016, 2:18 pm

    Sir:
    Ditto on your comments.
    Just a check on one piece of historical accuracy. Dr. James McPherson, Dr. Donald Livingston and others have revealed the period research undermining the mistaken revisionist history we were taught in school that the Union invaded the south to defeat slavery. Oversimplifying the reason was that Lincoln’s invasion was more about the south’s secession over the Morrill Tariff in order to stop the corporate welfare given to northern industry at their expense. It wasn’t until late in the war that slavery became a political propaganda front to cover the real and former purpose for the invasion.

    • Rouge1 September 3, 2016, 2:41 pm

      And Mark there were many demacrats in the north that were pro slavery. But the platform of the newly formed party was abolition of slavery. The Republican party very start was anti slavery.

  • Art Bertolina September 2, 2016, 2:14 pm

    Thank You
    Well said

  • MagnumOpUS September 2, 2016, 2:09 pm

    Mr. Clay Martin,

    Just one of many voices chiming in to say “THANK YOU!”

    AMERICA/TRUMP 2016

  • Jim September 2, 2016, 2:05 pm

    I too served my country from 1968-1975 in the US Navy. When we left Vietnam I left the Navy and became a full-time Police Officer, one of those guys you hate and condemn. I served for 15 years total, mostly in the poor Black areas helping the average Black person to remain safe from the thugs. I made it through the 7 years in the military but during my time as an Officer I was injurid many times while helping others. The final time I was critically injured after being struck by a car breaking my neck, jaw, collar bone, Shoulder, elbow, forearm most of my ribs on the right side, back,hip, crushed my knee and broke both feet plus a serious concussion that left me with short-term memory loss and in constant pain for the last 33 years. All in the service of my country and community. I was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Medal of Valor, National Commendation, and Lifesaving Medal for certain actions. I did many more that were just as important. Additionally my brother and sister Officers ALL did simular actions every damn day, some got awards, most did not and we did not care. We were helping others, black, white, brown, red, yellow and whatever. I would do it all over again even knowing the end result as I saved lives and made a difference in many lives. You play a silly game and make millions while I had to scrape and save as well as work another full-time job and a third part-time job just to get by. Don’t cry to me, you don’t have the right as you have done nothing in this life for anyone except yourself.

  • RKWILKY September 2, 2016, 1:43 pm

    While I echo Mr. Martins comments I believe that Colin, (I will not address him as Mr. as he has not earned that designation) has missed the entire point of his own position. He has taken a stand against the killing of black people in the streets by presumably racist white policemen. When in fact the police are forced to be on constant defense without the ability of certainty because of the almost always ignorance that when he or she (law enforcement person) calls to a black suspect to – halt-stop-or place their hands in the air- instead of responding to the officer with the respect he has earned by voluntarily putting his life on the line every day to keep the people of America safe, they disobey or retaliate with verbal barrages of ignorance or reach in their pockets to draw a weapon. If the people of his race would learned to respect law enforcement the killing would all but completely stop. When given an order by law enforcement you listen, you will have your turn to speak-its guanteed by the constitution that so many want to ignore.

    With that said, what part of his position has anything to do with the Federal Government or the almost one million brave men and women that have given their lives for less than what Colin makes for one set of downs on the football field. Kaepernick has no beef with the American people or the Federal Government as they have no jurisdiction over local law enforcement. This is just another way for a spoiled, self-centered, self-serving arrogant person of color to gain attention and to get notoriety and cry about things that happened over 200 years ago. Colin you need to go back in time and visit history and see which party impoverished and supported slavery and which party created the socialistic ties of suppressing people of color and other minorities so that they would always be dependent on the government. But still the black race is so held back, even though we have a black president, which has done nothing but set this nation back 50 years with regard to civil rights and has done nothing to prop up his own people.

    My answer is for people of minority status to put down the drugs, get out of the unwed beds and get a little moral compass set in your life and raise your children with dignity, of a hard day’s work for a fair price and give them hope that they too can rise to the highest elected position in this land regardless of where they were born. It is based on their desire to do better with their lives and not the actions of ancestors two hundred years ago. Wake up and take responsibility for your own lives and actions and stop blaming everybody else for your lack responsibility.

    By the way, I too am a disable veteran. Not battle wounded, but still enlisted and ready to fight voluntarily. I would love to see Kaepernick take the position of Pat Tillman- then we could see what kind of a man he truly is. Think about it Colin.

  • Powder Burns September 2, 2016, 1:07 pm

    To the Author of this article…. AFUCKINGMEN……

  • Max Hoyle September 2, 2016, 1:02 pm

    Mr. Martin thank you for your service and I’m sorry to hear about your disability, not only military guy feel this way, I think that a gron man that plays with a ball for an living should have to do it for minimum wage! Think how funny it would be if those socks were hanging out of his ass!

  • BRASS September 2, 2016, 12:45 pm

    As a proud American patriot and retired US Marine, my immediate response to this has been similar to the authors. However and coincidentally, just this morning I received a note from a good friend, fellow retired Marine, patriot and proud American, with a different take on this man, partially based on yesterdays pregame National Anthem ceremony at the San Francisco vs San Diego Chargers game in San Diego, and again coincidentally, on the annual game when San Diego and the Chargers celebrate our Armed Forces before and throughout the game. I include it as a heart felt and carefully thought out consideration, from a different perspective.
    ——————-
    I certainly was glad to see that Kaepernick engaged brain housing group to out think the persons who think he is being unpatriotic by not standing during the national Anthem. When the 49ers played in San Diego last night for the game to salute the American Armed Services he kneeled to respect the troops.

    The beauty of that is that he has received so much support from the troops even before last night and it bore fruit in his act of response to show he is not being unpatriotic, but wants to bring needed attention to what the right wing has shown a blind eye. Police violence on persons of color has for too long been accepted as the norm.

    As a child we all said the pledge of allegiance in school every morning. “and justice for all” was something that no black child in too many places was or in still too many places is not what blacks are presented with.
    ——————
    I know this individual well and he is one of the fairest and sincere persons I know and no one who knows him would accuse him of racial prejudice on any level. As such, I accept this as food for thought from someone standing in shoes I cannot.

    • Rouge1 September 3, 2016, 2:47 pm

      I say he is an idiot.

    • Thomas A Girouard January 12, 2018, 1:14 pm

      Yes the injustice of it all , it’s happening daily , all day long across this nation , just watch the mainstream media ,they love to cover anything that they deem injustice , wait how come the news is not constantly blaring about all the police officers killing everyone in the streets from the west coast to the east ???? Well , that’s because it’s not happening , but when someone does get shot in this perfect nation where no one breaks the law , everyone goes to work ,no one steals , robs , rapes or murders somebody, then you will see the news media jump on the story on every channel ,non-stop till you think every cop is an evil bad guy just looking to mistreat and kill people. People that believe that the police ,just go out there to harm the general public are very misinformed or uneducated.

  • Morris Williams September 2, 2016, 12:39 pm

    First off, I want to Thank You for your service sir. Your article is right on the spot. It hurts me most that he is disrespecting all of America. As you said all of the past men and women that have served and died for that flag. I , too served in the Marines and the Army, and I still hold on to the oath I took. I’m sure that somewhere along the way Mr football will pay the price

  • CPT W. September 2, 2016, 12:07 pm

    I also served in SOF, former, not ex. I also destroyed my body, funny, also both of my shoulders, back and neck, been shot and stabbed, chasing these turds claiming allah is greatest. He is a false god, little ‘g’. I love the prison converts, yeah worked as a LEO also. I love the inspired and radicalized and theirreasons, yeah worked in intel also. Mr. Football is an oxygen sponge, i won’t acknowledge him or his name. So you support BLM, BLM is a communist, para-soveriegn citizen movement out of black liberation theology garbage. Black lives matter except to black lives matter. That is why 90 blacks were shot in Chicago just this weekend as black on black crime, and BLM says nothing, over 2,500 shootings this year alone in BHO’s model city. Highest year. ever! Why isnt BLM fussing over the 55% of black. Babies aborted ever year. Bro, that is freaking genocide! Just sayin. But this terd is gonna grandstand fom a point of noblesse oblique about clear criminals with records that gave officers clear, intent, opportunity and showed clear capability to use deadly force upon them. Four words: shut your stupid mouth! Use your mouth for something usful, like sucking lemons! Leave common sense to real men, leave grandstanding to politicians. De Opresso Liber, which you know nothing about Mr Kaepernickle-pickle.

    -WR

  • mazztime September 2, 2016, 11:39 am

    HE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO VOICE HIS FEELING THOUGH THE NFL ON NATIONALTV….NFL SHOULD BAN THAT AND HIM ….MANY THANKS SERVICE MAN…….

  • Kathy September 2, 2016, 11:39 am

    I applaud this writer and double down on his dressing down of this panzy and his rant.

  • Steve G September 2, 2016, 11:11 am

    Well said Clay as usual. Good on you for calling out this bag of dicks “pro” footballer.

    As to the rest of your libtard trolls, fuck off. You guzzle the mainstream media drivel all too willingly. The terrorist roots of black lives don’t matter should be enough to illuminate your pea brains, but that didn’t happen. You routinely look the other way as blacks slaughter blacks in Obummer’s blessed Chicago. More black on black murders happened in Chicago over the 4th of July weekend than ALL white cop on black shootings in a year. And guess what? Chicago has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country. But that doesn’t fit your agenda, so you don’t even acknowledge it. Fucking inbred liberals.

  • Russell Van Driel September 2, 2016, 11:05 am

    Looking for a Patriot to go low,and take out Crapernicks knees.That will give him a legit gripe.

  • William Latta September 2, 2016, 10:49 am

    Mr. Martin is dead right of his assessment of this phony American freeloader. I believe in the right to speak freely in this country and I fought for that right. Mr. K has the right to speak his mind and if he finds America so offensive he is free to leave. I doubt he will find somewhere to live that has the freedoms and benefits, for blacks and whites, as there are in America. If he is so offended by America and feels America is so awful then he should quit football where he is “entitled” to earn millions of dollars annually, because he is acting out a stereotype life acting like a little tar baby of the 1890’s -1930’s dancing with a shoe shine box in his hand for white football fans. My message to him is ” Grow up Buddy. Get an education in American and European history; yes man has committed lots of wrongs but a lot more rights. You are now free. Don’t sit on your rump looking for white man handouts, help your fellow man. Go back to the ghetto and provide a positive role model for kids in those neighborhoods. Teach the benefits of education. Teach the benefits of having loving parents that don’t beat the crap out of you constantly and turn you out on the street to live like a feral dog or cat. Teach the idea that working hard has a major benefit, maybe not immediately but eventually. Teach self reliance and pride and to quit blaming someone or something else for your failures and short comings. Life is not fair, never has been fair, never will be fair, it is just life and you have to learn to deal with it. You can sit on your butt sucking your thumb and crying foul or you can stand up and make a difference by working hard making a contribution to life and helping out those less fortunate than you. Not everyone is equal; people are not equal in intelligence, motivation, commonsense, the ability to turn intelligence to commonsense, physical abilities, etc.. We all have strong points and weak points. Realize it and deal with it. Grow up!”

  • ELefevre September 2, 2016, 10:26 am

    Kaepernick’s Female String-puller…
    San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has a new ‘protest’…refusing to stand for America’s national anthem:

    “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

    “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, of course, came out with an incredibly PC response to this:

    “The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. 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 and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”

    Now, the fact that ‘people of color’ have more rights under the law, more freedom and more economic opportunities in America than almost any other country on earth is something I suppose we can just ignore…Colin Kaepernick obviously has!

    And I’m sure Colin Kaepernick’s adoptive family of Typical White People might not want to weigh in on this either.

    But there’s a little more to the story that the media and the NFL will avoid at all costs, because it explains the real reason Mr.Kaepernick has suddenly come out with the idea of inflicting his agenda publicly on the fans. And the media and the NFL have no intention of it coming out if they can help it.

    As the French wisely say, Cherchez la femme, look for the woman.

    In this case, the woman is hip-hop radio personality DJ Nessa Diab.She’s a Berkeley grad, a very dogmatic outspoken Black Lives Matter advocate and a Muslim. She and Colin Kaepernick are engaged, and Kaepernick converted to Islam during the off season.

    The two are reportedly planning what Kaepernick calls ‘a traditional Muslim wedding.’

    Pretty simple…boy meets radical girl, they find they have interests and ideology in common…except,it’s haram, forbidden for a Muslima (a Muslim girl) to marry a non-believer. This is not to say that Kaepernick wasn’t pretty far along the radical path anyway.

    It’s a real love story…not only do they love the same things, but they can hate the same people too. There are certainly a fair amount of patriotic American Muslims, but many Muslims here follow the Qu’ran which says their first loyalty aside from Allah is to the umma, the worldwide Muslim polity. And no one with much common sense would call the folks at Black Lives Matter remotely patriotic. So it all fits together pretty well.

    Another part of the back story is that both Kaepernick and Nessa Diab have been agitating the 49ers to trade Kaepernick to New York, where Diab is based. Ideology aside, this might be Kaepernick’s way of adding some fuel to the fire.

    The 49ers have obviously made a business decision to keep Kaepernick on their roster and, with the collusion of the media, to keep this part of the story covered up. That’s fine, but it is a business decision. And although I have to admit that if I felt that way about America I’d vote with my principles and leave, Colin Kaepernick also certainly has the right not to honor the flag of the country that has treated him so well.

    But football fans can also make a decision…like boycotting the 49ers and any subsequent team they might trade Kaepernick to until he’s history. Now, that’s freedom too, isn’t it? Based on the 49er’s puerile statement, I’m sure they’d agree.

  • Al Garcia September 2, 2016, 10:24 am

    Thanks for the reminder of how this country was fought for. And thanks for your service in the Armed Forces.
    This QB is quite frankly a loser in spite of making that sum of money.
    The men I have always admired are the ones that run into the fight, not from it. The ones who protect the rest of us.
    They are what made America great. Not some obviously confused and mistaken pseudo quarterback.

  • Terrence Martin September 2, 2016, 10:11 am

    Former Green Beret Has Message for NFL QB Colin Kaepernick
    by CLAY MARTIN on AUGUST 30, 2016

    Thank you for your service and protection. That’s the first thing you will get from me and a handshake.

    As for that dumbass football player let’s drop him off in a hot zone and see how that throwing arm does.

  • Jeff September 2, 2016, 9:52 am

    What a ASSHOLE this QB is.Canada or Mexico is just across the borders.Eat shit Kaepernick!!!!

  • Ron Heacock September 2, 2016, 9:34 am

    Thank you Mr. Martin, for your loyalty and service to all of us and our Country. Thank you also for your comments on this PROBLEM !! This is a free country and if colin( he doesn’t deserve capital letters or respect) doesn’t appreciate it here, he is free to get his sorry ass out and find somewhere he fits in better. Good luck and good riddance to him. He should be boycotted but we should be careful not to hurt his teammates in the process.
    Ron

    • DirtyOldMadman September 2, 2016, 10:01 am

      One of his teammates also decided to take a knee during the time that those of us who are able to STAND for our nation do. This teammate deserves the same treatment as this hopefully third string bench sitter. Thank you to all that have served this GREAT country, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

  • Mike W1 September 2, 2016, 9:30 am

    Thank you Mr. Martin for your service, your valor and your comment. And as for you (kaepernick), you will not stand for our Flag, then get the fuck out and take the millions you make in the NFL and shove it up your ass!
    Last…kaepernick inspired t-p is a Terrific Idea!

  • Nick s September 2, 2016, 9:25 am

    I think the emotionally intelligent way to respond is to allow for the fact that no matter how successful a person is should not disallow him or her to speak their minds. If we are a country that allows for an unhinged, right wing “church” to picket soldiers’ funerals, then a symbolic statement of support for those who are directly impacted by racism should be perfectly ok. Saluting the flag isn’t about our soldiers so much as it is what our country represents: democracy, the constitution and freedom. This includes freedom of so speech. We are not an authoritarian country yet – assuming Trump or someone of his ilk gets elected president – so I suggest people get over it. Not withstanding the fact I’d like to punch the members of the Westboro church in the face. We gave neo-Nazis the right to march in Skokie, IL where a large population of Holocaust survivors lived. Kareem Abdul Jabar had a wonderful op-ed in the Washington Post about patriotism a coup,e of days ago. I suggest googling it.

    • jim September 2, 2016, 10:35 am

      Agree that freedom of speech is absolutely invaluable, and “inalienable”. BUT, that does not guarantee that there are consequences for airing those opinions. Consequences in the form of passionate disagreement, loss of respect from one’s peers and etc.
      As for the VENUE chosen to air his opinions: when representing an organization, company or corporation as an employee or contractor it is unreasonable to expect that those employing you will have those same opinions or even desire to have their interests represented or connected in any non-business related discussion. And the customers for the services rendered are not paying for your personal beliefs to be grandstanded before them.
      Peckerstink has LOTS of time and press coverage to air his feelings off the field. Voiced on his own time, while I would still have disagreed, I would be more supportive of his right to make his claims.
      Try such things at your place of employment and see how the boss, or shareholders react.

    • Tim S September 2, 2016, 11:30 am

      I agree with everything you said except the “people get over it” part. Another freedom we have is to show our disapproval by not supporting people or organizations that do not stand for what we believe in. It is just as “American” for us to not support him or any company that endorses him. He has his rights and we have our rights too.

    • david September 2, 2016, 12:29 pm

      Colin Kaepernick did not say that HE is oppressed. He’s angry that in the United States black people and people of color are oppressed far too often, that they are murdered far too often, and those murders go unpunished far too often. The beauty of our constitution is that it protects free speech for all. It protects the fact that Colin doesn’t have to stand for the national anthem and can speak out about it. It protects anyone here for disagreeing with him, and agreeing. And it protects us all for posting our thoughts about anything. Many people feel he’s heroic for putting his career on the line. Others think he’s an asshole. And that’s the beauty of our country, one person’s hero can be another person’s asshole. But… in the end, while one doesn’t have to respect another’s opinion, one must respect that all of us have the 1st Amendment, and thus the right to our opinions and to voice them.

      • CJ September 2, 2016, 11:35 pm

        David, A lot of these people on here are not hearing what you are saying. They refuse to address the “Why” he is not standing and now with a vet by his side taking a knee. I would bet that several of this people posting comments did it not know that when Black vets got off the transport ships that they were told to go to the left and white vets were told to go to right. The black vets were at the back of the marching lines while the white vets were in front. I would also be willing to be that black vets had to fight another war in and of itself to get the same VA benifits as there white vets. It is amazing that you tell a group of people to go fight for freedom and democracy and they did not have it at home. So here we are decades later and we are having the same conversation. Do you wonder why? Treating some folk differently even thought they have fought and died just as you did.

  • Bayou Boys September 2, 2016, 9:19 am

    If he feels black people are not being treated fairly donate some of his 11 million to his brothers and sisters children make their life equal to his. Im sure Al Sharpton or Jessie Jackson would help him with the donations. He wouldnt make a pimple on MLK’s ass I dont ever remember him setting. Grow up little boy you dont know the truth of slavery or picking cotton while black’s worked their finger to the bone for you to be where you are today. Act like a proud black man and great role model for the childern so they can rise to the level you are, not the level of you being complainer.

  • Jason Merryman September 2, 2016, 8:59 am

    Mr. Martin, you are absolutely correct in your assessment. While regretfully I did not serve, I will ALWAYS AND FOREVER stand with my hand over my heart and a tear in my eye to honor and remember the true heros.

  • BigC September 2, 2016, 8:56 am

    Hey Krappernick, if you don’t like it here GTFO and STFO and that POS Beyonce with you!!!!!

  • Joebob September 2, 2016, 8:55 am

    +1 on worshiping grown men playing children’s games. Bread and circuses to distract the proles. Turn off the damn TV people.

    However, the idea that anyone in recent history has fought for our freedom is a joke. I haven’t seen a single U.S. soldier assault Washington, D.C. Our freedoms haven’t been infringed upon by anyone in the middle east, only politicians on the Potomac.

    If you think the civil war was fought over slavery, you probably need to read ‘The Real Lincoln’ – possible worse than the cult of athlete worshipers is the cult that worships Lincoln, who waged war on the Constitution and had no interest in freeing slaves – only in preserving the tax base in the South to appease his corporate masters.

    Nothing changes.

    • Pixel Dust September 2, 2016, 9:57 am

      The guy who killed the Dallas police was ex-military. He is not the only example of ex-military doing heinous acts like that.

      • Terrence September 2, 2016, 10:18 am

        That killing didn’t have anything to do with being ex-military. Psycho with an unknown agenda, snapped.

        Compare percentages dumbass, ex-military against civilians, civilians have committed more crimes/murder than any ex-military personnel.

  • John Cruz September 2, 2016, 8:43 am

    Thank you for your service. I too do not watch sports and can’t imagine how these people get paid what they do. If you want to idolize someone start right at home with your parents and right on up to the servicemen that protect all the freedoms we enjoy so dearly on a daily basis. If that is still not enough than look right within your community to your first responders who would risk their lives to save yours. I ask anyone to tell me when an actor, musician or athlete would risk their lives to save a strangers’ life on a daily basis.

  • R. Houser September 2, 2016, 8:42 am

    I read the comments and wonder why the same people who write these articles still attend games and support any kind of sports. Just look at the players. Their appearance are so much like someone from a street gang with his markings, jewelry & hair doos. Why would any company want these people to endorse their company?
    Please look elsewhere for entertainment until the NFL & NBA players become humble as the rest of us. If not, then I respect Mr. Kaepernick much more than I do anyone who whines and continues to buy tickets and fund his huge salary.

  • Ples September 2, 2016, 8:36 am

    Being White and slinging racial slurs towards minorities of colors and national origins has gone on forever. White people just do not get it. It hurts to the core, mental and physical state of existence. Minority’s of all colors fought in every theater since Whites settled this country. Our voices has fallen on deaf ears. And you, Clay as a S.F.O., know well enough how White America says one thing but do nothing remotely, to follow through with their words or action. Being a minority is harder then your own words of anger can express. There are ex-veterans that are trained as you were that had a great distain for people of color, that when they have completed their tour of duty, join hate groups and train them, march with them under a confederate flag, and teaching their children to hate. Trap a wild animal in a corner and see what happens. I, as a what White Anerican call a half breed know the pain of racial hate. I too served my country honorably and call names other then my given name, both in the service and as a civilian. But I was taught to be silent. I made it a point to observe and listen to my surrounding for many, many
    year and you would be surprise at what have learned! Today, nothing like the, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, through our current period being silent still caused problems, but now silent protesting is get attention that got Black men killed. Whites fling their anger without understand or the respect of people of color. Oh please, I know history as well you, so please stop using it as a ploy to get your point across! Hey, one more point, why didn’t you go ahead call him a, ‘nigger’? Please print this in its entirety. Hey Clay get same Black military history that was not put in the forefront in yellow paper (print/news papers).

    • blh557 September 2, 2016, 8:59 am

      95% of blacks killed, murdered, snuffed, capped, whatever, are done so by BLACKS not cops. They become targets of opportunity. Now, THAT’S racist!

    • Mongo September 2, 2016, 9:23 am

      Oh shut your racist pie-hole Ples. Most vets would agree that dis-honoring the flag automatically dis-honors them, regardless of the principle behind your “dis-honor”. You along with everyone else who has an opinion should be able to discern disagreeing with a punk like Colono based on principle and have the wisdom and leadership to not mix it up with racism, which it is not. But you, looking at the world through race colored glasses, so conveniently paint the “racist white soldiers” as the only ones who “join hate groups and train them, march with them under a confederate flag, and teaching their children to hate.” How many of the black racist Panthers, or Nation Of Islam, or liberation theology following thugs were also ex-military, doing exactly the same thing, teaching the hate? But since you refer to yourself as a “half-breed”, what else should we expect from you other than racism and hatred. It’s unbelievable how much hatred is in your heart that you can’t help being racist to half of yourself.
      Clay is right, Colona has a right to act like an ass, and we have a right to tell him that he is one. The soldiers fighting and dying for this country are intimately intertwined with the flag. When you disrespect the flag, (especially for something it nor the soldiers didn’t do), you hit their nerve. I don’t give a crap about you, or what you think, or believe, but when a moron insults the flag and military, then I stand on your side, especially if you didn’t do anything to deserve it, because that is how I feel. If Colono had the sense God gave a brick, he would have aimed his righteous indignation in the right direction instead of painting a broad, all-encompassing group of heroes with a label that they do not deserve.
      Thank you for your service.
      Think next time before you open your pie hole, racist troll.

    • Thomas September 2, 2016, 9:40 am

      I guess we should just pay you assholes and get it over with. That’s what you and all your so called leaders want …is a check. You as minorities have it made in the US. Have you ever lost a multi million dollar contract because you were white and it HAD to go to a business owner of color?> I have even when I had the same product and service at a cheaper amount. You hide behind the govt that rules in your favor every day and people are getting sick of it. Lets count the number of dead service men and women and see what color has sacrificed the most to provide your race free housing and welfare. What dos your people of color do? They shoot each other every day. No different than the tribes killing each other in Africa years ago. Nice progress and you blame it on us. Stop crying about being a minority. You get more breaks than anyone and your people will not get off their lazy asses to take advantage of it. They would rather get their check and kill each other. Well said Clay and thank you for your service.

      • John Jones, Ph.D. January 16, 2018, 10:30 pm

        I must agree. It was less than 15 years ago that the African country of Mali announced that they were releasing the last 18,000 of “their SLAVES”! I guarantee that no one will personally get a penny of reparations from me! My family didn’t benefit from slavery, so I won’t pay for their troubles, real or imagined. Hell, don’t blacks realize that only 6% of Southerners owned slaves, and they were ALL Democrats. THE Civil Right Acts of 1964/65, passed by the Democrat congress, we’re nothing more than a clever plan to “enslave the Black vote”. MLK knew this. He had suffered the privations of the Democrat controlled South. That’s the reason why he, and the majority of blacks, we’re REPUBLICANS!!

    • Pixel Dust September 2, 2016, 9:50 am

      This loser football quarterback only played the ‘race’ card to deflect his chances of being cut, so he could argue that the decision to rid themselves of his presence was racially biased.

      You, on the other hand, are just a troll who isn’t even a Negro.

    • Terrence September 2, 2016, 10:23 am

      Mr. Clay was not degrading to another race, simply stating a point.
      I will agree with you on the military having all races and I don’t care what the race, if you are active duty or ex-military, I respect what you did for me and this country.

  • Lem nash September 2, 2016, 8:16 am

    Fully agree with everything he said.

    The football player is an asshole.

  • Patrick Cronin September 2, 2016, 8:10 am

    To the author: God Bless You and your fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines (both male and female) for everything you have done to protect this Great Nation. A heartfelt Thank You All coming from this proud citizen. I agree with your every word.

  • Stephanie September 2, 2016, 7:59 am

    Shame on him!He should loose all of his endorsements and be fired!Shame on Beyoncé too!

  • Juggernaut September 2, 2016, 7:41 am

    You people are so blinded and brainwashed its pathetic! May god have mercy on your souls.

    • Abner T September 2, 2016, 9:35 am

      Do you have a point to make?

    • Pixel Dust September 2, 2016, 9:51 am

      troll alert…

  • Tom Moore September 2, 2016, 7:01 am

    Sgt–I wish I could meet you and shake your hand–

    From–a Vietnam Vet Sgt–

    • John O'Connell September 2, 2016, 8:16 am

      Wonderful piece.Thank you for your service.Per Mare Per Terram.

  • Joe September 2, 2016, 7:01 am

    I have severe complex ptsd from 6 years child abuse, rape and torture.I have multiple emotional flashbacks everyday. Listened to my Mom scream and cry while my Dad hung her in the basement. NO ONE protected us. I dont need anyone to kill for me nor do I need anyone to say they are protecting me because they are lying.
    I certainly have no sympathy for Cap, quit whining there is many sex slaves in this country no one is doing anything about.

  • Paul September 2, 2016, 6:58 am

    I think colin kaepernick inspired tp would be a big seller!

  • jimmy james September 2, 2016, 6:56 am

    What he said times 1000. I don’t know why exactly that Colon Claperdink pushes my buttons but i just cant stand the guy.

  • R Smith September 2, 2016, 6:48 am

    Bravo
    As Clay stated, Fuck you Colin

  • CRA September 2, 2016, 6:20 am

    Great article. It kills me to hear about you injury and not being able to play with your son. There’s a doctor that does this stuff called counter strain. Larry Bellew in Delaware he could help you.

  • Roger September 2, 2016, 5:54 am

    Ahem, the football player is a jerk. He is a nobody who happens to be in a position where he is visible, so he takes his stupid opinions and gets on the poor me racial bandwagon for everyone to see. It’s amazing that he is not simply ostracized for showing disrespect for our flag, simply because he thinks there is something more important. So too is the whiny author of this article. Sure combat veterans deserve some respect, but they do not have to be revered for what they did. It was their choice. And their reasons for doing it like protecting our freedoms is bull crap. Stop your whining. Lots of people struggle their whole lives with afflictions and events they have no control over and they do not grandstand about it. Suck it up boys. No one is more special more deserving than anyone else. Get outside of yourselves and realize that , maybe help others, selflessly, without expecting accolades and admiration.

    • al November 29, 2016, 2:18 pm

      I’m a little late for the dance but just one very belated comment about you Roger. I bet you hated your father too, only way I can figure the reasoning behind that last part of your comment. Get over it dickhead. Salute anyway, it’s better than the finger.

  • Kenny Smith September 2, 2016, 5:50 am

    Mr. Clay Martin you are one of the good guys who love this country like myself and have to put up with people like kapperpus , he is a disgrace to the USA . Never did like his team anyway. Thank you for your past and present service to this country. Proud to be an American !!!

  • John the Warsaw Wizard September 2, 2016, 4:45 am

    I retired with 30 years in the U.S. Army and am very proud to STAND AND SALUTE “Old Glory. Yes, we service people, past and present, can, by an act of congress, salute the flag even when we are not in uniform and I, for one, am proud to be able to do that. I love your article. You say everything most of America loving citizens are thinking. I think this, and all the other, candy ass, piss green, over paid athletes, who disrespect America should be thrown out of their respective leagues. They are giving all the young children that watch, and look to, them as roll models a very poor example. They are also giving all the “real American” athletes a bad name.

  • An1 September 2, 2016, 3:52 am

    when the American anthem plays I’m standing with my right hand over my heart. Thanking every member of our nation protectors for the service they provide. Woe is the life of that millionaire must be rough.

  • DRAINO September 1, 2016, 12:00 pm

    Mr, Clayton,
    Great Response! With you 100%!
    Mr. “chief Slowroller”,
    Blow it out your pipe, you Panzy Libtard, Democrap, who’s never even gotten your hands dirty, living off the backs of others!

    The problem is that there’s not enough anger now adays!! Too concerned about peoples’ “feelings”….Too much PC. We need to get angry and take our country back from PC….and the criminals in the govt. VOTE, PEOPLE…..FOR TRUMP…..or our country will be totally lost!!!!

    • Dave B September 2, 2016, 7:41 am

      A Green Beret suggests that doing assaults in Sadr City was defend the 1st Amendment? In what reality does that demonstrate fact? The last shooting war that genuinely defended this nation was World War 2. The Korean “War” was actually a UN “Police Action” although most of the fighting and dying was done by Americans it was defending Koreans and NOT this country it it’s citizens. Suggesting that any wars after the end of the Korean conflict were anything other than wars of Imperialism is promoting a Lie. Our military is warring against a manufactured enemy. Kapernick’s statement reflects obvious facts that cannot be deflected by nonsense highlighting “Black in Black” crime. The Militarization of Police Forces nationwide is certainly alarming. The continuing marIch towards Fascism is even more alarming. Corporatism is Not a Partisan philosophy it defines Fascism. The Military has become the defenders of Corporatism and NOT our Constitutional Freedoms. In my case there is nobody to represent me in government. The Right Wing is full if Lunatic Elitists that babble about ridiculous garbage clearly designed to appeal to those thoroughly propagandists to react adversely to “hot button” words such as “socialism” and “entitlements.” A political party that clearly kisses the add of the very wealthy. Then there us the Left Wing (Democrats) that claim to be working for “the people” but the hierarchy of that party are also Fascists that kids the add of the very wealthy. They also are working hard to disarm us. I am NOT a Right Wing lunatic but am a Very strong supporter of the Bill of Rights. Incidentally, my Social Security Insurance is Not an Entitlement. I paid those Insurance Premiums for over 50 years. That is MY money but I digress…. Kapernick exercised his absolute right guaranteed by the 1st Amendment and if you don’t agree that’s your right too. All of the bullshit about going to war to defend his “freedom” is Bullshit unless you fought in WWII. Since the Green Beret didn’t his entire essay is Not worth the effort. My father fought in WWII. He won a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. He was part of the D-Day invasion. He was in Belgium when the Battle of the Bulge happened. He fought for our freedom. Far too much misplaced “patriotism” not enough critical thinking leads to sentiments offered by this “Green Beret” which can be very dangerous. By the way, the national anthem celebrates the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. That’s the War the United States started in an attempt to annex Canada. That was a War of Imperialism. Celebrating Aggression doesn’t say much about “freedom.”

      • Abner T September 2, 2016, 9:43 am

        Probably ought to read the words of the national anthem sometimes. From where I sit, it means “Do your worst to us, and we’ll still be standing and not laying down… or sitting.” This football ‘child’ inspires only dissent and mediocrity, and I’ll take the likes of the author over this turkey any day…

      • RKWILKY September 2, 2016, 2:14 pm

        You need to Read the William Forschen Book Day of Wrath if you think American soldiers have not fought for our freedom since 1945. You are a complete idiot if you believe what you wrote.

      • Dewey September 2, 2016, 10:56 pm

        Well said and right on the money Dave!

  • chief Slowroller August 31, 2016, 10:07 pm

    the Anger thing makes you look worse than Kaepernick I would guess all that killing hasn’t done you any good.
    someday maybe you will realize that your protecting the World Opium trade or maybe you’ve drank so much Kool-Aid
    that you will never come back.
    remember this is America and Social statements are allowed and you killing poor folks over Dope is not keeping America Free.

    • Purplehaze. September 2, 2016, 4:00 am

      You surely must be a Troll or a Obama /Hillary paid agent. I agree with and support Clay Martin’s assessment of the Cherry Boy Kaepernick Foot Ball player and his refual to show respect for the American Flag and all the Veterans that died for America that the flag represents.

      • Chief September 2, 2016, 9:35 am

        Trolls using the name Chief on this board , I am the only Chief . Pick up your toys and go home troll. As far as Kaeparnick ,sure he has the right to do what he did and we have the right to call him a d-bag , I hope he loses sponsorship ,I’d like to see his lose his job. but don’t worry the left will take care of him after he disrespected the flag ,That is a badge of honor for them . He is a piece of entitled garbage on the p.c. parade ,I am sick of these America haters , You don;t like it here LEAVE!

    • JoeUSooner September 2, 2016, 11:25 am

      Indeed, your point is well-taken, and freedom of expression does indeed exist in this country. The protection of that freedom is one of the exact reasons we veterans served in the military. So, yes, you (and all American citizens) do still have that right… and you certainly have every right to be wrong!

      You have the right to your opinion, but you do not have the right to artificially create your own facts.

      The Constitution guarantees that you may make a public statement, but it does not ensure that the statement itself will be in any way intelligent, accurate, socially acceptable, or worth listening to… and there is NO requirement of any kind that those who hear your stupidity must agree with it or accept it. In fact… sane, rational, reasonable, intelligent citizens will recognize the ridiculous drivel for what it is… and ignore it.

  • Tom Horn August 31, 2016, 8:56 am

    Well said!

    How about he protests the record Black on Black violence in this Country. It seems Black lives don’t matter, unless they are killed by a white police officer. I’m long done with these NFL idiots. They are as brainless as Hollywood stars.

  • Howard Simon August 30, 2016, 7:48 pm

    I’m a WW 2 veteran who served in the European Theater. I brought home a German rifle which I would like to identify after all these years. It looks like a crudely-made M-1 Garrand. The only markings I can find are:

    1952 e (German army insignia) G 43 duv 44

    I also have an Italian rifle marked: Fab.Naz. d’Armi Brescia A 197 1931-A-X

    If this is not enough to identify, I can send photos at a later date. Thank you forf any info you can give me.

    • Sarge September 2, 2016, 4:17 am

      Your rifle is the German equivelent to the Garand. They were made in 1943, 44 & 45.
      The 1952e is the rifles serial number and should be found on the receiver, bolt carrier, bolt, stock and a few small parts. If all those numbers do not match it greatly effects the value of the rifle. Your rifle was made in 1944.
      I have hunted deer, antelope (and killed a bunch of them) & coyotes with one of these rifles for close to 60 years.
      Sarge

      • Sarge September 2, 2016, 4:22 am

        Forgot to add – I’m also retired Army Special Forces – after spending 9 yrs in Naval Aviation flying aircrew on P2V Neptunes.
        Sarge

  • Chris August 30, 2016, 5:34 pm

    Thank you for your service Sir and thank you for the true words written here.

  • Taxx73 August 30, 2016, 4:57 pm

    This dumbass football player needs to go back to school and learn his history. I am so tired of p.c. libtards in this country. I for one will ALWAYS stand and salute our flag and if I would have seen this idiot not do the same I probably would have been in jail for trying to kick his ass. I\’ve had to many friends and family fight and die for this country. Our military is the reason this county still exists. Our vets deserve everything that we as a nation can provide for them and their families. I really hope that there is a special place in hell for people like this nitwit where every day they wake happy with their family around them and all of a sudden a terrorist kicks down the door and proceeds to rape and kill him and his family for all eternity. I do have to apologize to his family for my harsh thoughts but where do you think he learned this b.s. from anyway? I am always grateful for our soldiers and Mr. Martin I loved your article. LEAVE OUR RIGHTS ALONE!!!!!!

    • Rouge1 September 3, 2016, 3:19 pm

      Don’t send him back to school for history. Where do you think learned his present view of history?

  • Christian August 30, 2016, 4:18 pm

    Clay Martin, although I never heard of this player before (I don’t watch sport either and in my country, Germany, football is not shown on official channels from what I know), I do really want to congratulate you for your posting about this guy haven’t stood up for your countries national anthem.

    Rich people like him surely don’t know something which they should know because it is also a big part in sports: Respect! Although I was never a fan of the war in Iraq, I do respect people like you for what you had to endure because some politicians decide that you have to go there and risk your life for your country. And although I know it won’t help you, I was very sorry to hear that you received a fatal wound that will be a part for the rest of your life. I never heard the name rotator cuff before and I had to search for it in the net, as I am neither much into human anatomic. I saw some of your videos, for example the shooting stance video, and I would have never gotten the thought that you are not capable to fully move your arm anymore, so I am sure I also would be angry about a guy like Kaepernick, if I would have suffered as much as you did for a country this guy refuses to stand up for just a few minutes. I like to watch motorsports and you never see some rude move like that during the national anthem of the victorious driver being played. Or what about a president of another country, no matter which, arriving at yours? Do they treat these with disrespect? No, they don’t and they even play their national anthems in front of the White House. And this kind of respect we should be able to expect from guys like Kaepernick as well.

    The problem maybe is that with the big money and the winning streaks there comes the arrogance. Most of these guys are just unable to stay on their toes, plus I think that in today’s times you need to be politically correct to keep making it big, therefore he tries to step into this stupid black lives matter debate. But I do believe this move would have cost this guy a lot of fans too and it hopefully will be a step for his career to turn out bad for him. In my eyes he already has proven his stupidity by stating that your country would oppressing blacks or people of color. Everybody knows that this is not true. If this would be true, what, for example, about all the non-white cops and soldiers of your country? I also hate people that say things like that before they activate their brain because they think freedom and democracy are something granted for free, instead something that has to be fought for over and over again. And I can say I have not won the “lottery of being born in America” and I tell you, although, thanks to Obama and maybe soon Hillary, your country is in serious trouble, I would have more liked to be born in the US than in Germany, if God would have allowed me to decide. In my country, the people take democracy and freedom of speech mostly for granted and this is one of our biggest weaknesses.

    Thanks again Clay Martin for speaking out what I am sure many people think about Kaepernick and other rich snobby people as well!

  • Liam Warr August 30, 2016, 3:11 pm

    I salute you Sir and I am deeply grateful for your service.

    • pat murphy September 3, 2016, 3:03 pm

      dear Sir, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for what you and the others that have served this great country. People say stupid stuff without thinking, but some should think before they open there mouth. there are so many of our young that have been hurt while defending this country, and I just want to say thank you and your fellow service men and women, for give and keeping this country safe. may the lord watch over.

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