Despite getting the inspiration to kneel during the anthem from U.S. soldiers like Nate Boyer, Kaepernick's protest against police brutality and racism was turned into a debate over respect for the military and the American flag.

President Donald Trump pounced on the issue and used it to inflame tensions, calling Kaepernick a "son of a b***h" and demanding he be kicked out of the league. Kaepernick led the San Francisco 49ers to two NFC title games and one Super Bowl but never played in the NFL after his protests, eventually suing and settling a collusion grievance against the league.

Following the nationwide protests over racism and police brutality after the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized to those who knelt during the national anthem.

Kaepernick's kneeling protest has grown in popularity, with entire NBA and MLB teams kneeling during the national anthem ahead of games over the last two months.

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