San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick's jersey sales skyrocket after national anthem protest

Published Sep. 4, 2016 6:35 p.m. ET

foxsports

Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest might not be all that popular but his jersey certainly is. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback currently has the fifth-best selling jersey on NFL.com, less than a year after it was put on clearance sale.

Kaepernick, who made the team's 53-man roster, has been at the center of a firestorm since his protest of the national anthem went public last month. He refused to stand during the playing of the anthem in the preseason, though it was only noticed and made national headlines during the 49ers' third preseason game.

Kaepernick said he's protesting because he won't "show pride for a country that oppresses black people and people of color." Instead of sitting, he kneeled in the 49ers' final preseason game, which took place during the Chargers' Salute to the Military night, as a way of showing respect to the military while continuing his boycott.

Kaepernick added he will donate the first $1 million he makes this season to two organizations that help promote awareness of social concerns.