NFL Great Jerry Rice Slams 49er's Flag-Sitting Stunt

Legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice has tackled Colin Kaepernick for not standing during the National Anthem last week — telling the San Francisco 49ers quarterback his action was "disrespectful."

At a preseason game with Green Bay Packers last Friday, Kaepernick remained seated as the Star-Spangled Banner was played, explaining: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."

In an explosive tweet Tuesday, Rice — who played for the 49ers from 1985 to 2000, holds three Super Bowl rings and is considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history — told Kaepernick "All lives matter."

All lives matter. So much going on in this world today.Can we all just get along! Colin,I respect your stance but don't disrespect the Flag.

— Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) August 30, 2016

Kaepernick has been widely criticized on social media and current and former politicians such as Rep. Peter King of New York, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin have all condemned his decision not to stand.

But the 28-year-old athlete has not backed down, insisting, "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."

While the NFL strongly encourages its players to stand during the "Star-Spangled Banner," it does not require them to. The 49ers organization said it backed Kaepernick's right to protest.

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