CHICAGO,IL - FEBRUARY 28: First lady Michelle Obama (R) dances with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during a debut of a school exercise program February 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama unveiled a new initiative called "Let's Move Active Schools" to help schools create a physical activity programs for students. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 162869474 ORIG FILE ID: 162851170
With millions of Americans who have come out and rallied for San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick protest to stand for National Anthem, President Obama took a few minutes to address what some view as controversial during his recent trip to China.
“I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that need to be talked about,” Obama said about the San Francisco 49ers quarterback during a press conference in Hangzhou, China.
“My understanding at least is he’s exercising his constitutional right to make a statement. I think there’s a long history of sports figures doing so,” Obama added.
“I think there are a lot of ways you can do it. As a general matter, when it comes to the flag and the national anthem and the meaning that holds for our men and women in uniform and those who fought for us, that is a tough thing for them to get past to then hear what his deeper concerns are. But I don’t doubt his sincerity based on what I’ve heard,” he said.
CHICAGO,IL – FEBRUARY 28: First lady Michelle Obama (R) dances with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during a debut of a school exercise program February 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama unveiled a new initiative called “Let’s Move Active Schools” to help schools create a physical activity programs for students. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
