SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is refusing to stand for the national anthem before games because he believes the United States oppresses African Americans and other minorities.Kaepernick sat on the teams bench Friday night during the anthem before the Niners played host to the Green Bay Packers in an exhibition game. He later explained his reasoning in an interview with NFL Media .I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color, Kaepernick said. 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.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Saturday that players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.The 49ers issued a statement after Pro Football Talk initially reported on Kaepernicks stand, saying that Americans have the right to protest or support the anthem.The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame ceremony, the team said. 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 to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.Coach Chip Kelly said Saturday that he had not talked with Kaepernick about his actions or comments but said that Kaepernick also did not stand for the national anthem before last weeks game in Denver when he was injured and did not play.We recognize his right to do that, Kelly said. Its not my right to tell him not to do something. Thats his right as a citizen.Kaepernick, who is biracial, was adopted and raised by white parents. He has been outspoken on his Twitter account on civil rights issues and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.Kaepernick is not the first U.S.-based athlete to use the anthem for protest. In 1996, NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the anthem, saying the United States had a history of tyranny and doing so would conflict with his Islamist beliefs. The NBA initially suspended Abdul-Rauf for his stance before it was lifted when he said he would stand and pray silently during the song.Kaepernick said he is not worried about any potential fallout from his protest.This is not something that I am going to run by anybody, he told NFL Media. I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.Kaepernicks agent did not immediately return a request for comment.Kaepernick is in competition to win back the starting quarterback job in San Francisco that he lost to Blaine Gabbert last season. He made his first appearance of the preseason on Friday night after missing two games with a tired shoulder. He finished 2 for 6 for 14 yards and added 18 yards on four runs.Kelly said Kaepernick is still in the running to win the starting job and his protest wont impact the decision.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Ravens Jerseys . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Wholesale Ravens Jerseys . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. http://www.cheapravensjerseysauthentic.com/ . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday. Authentic Mark Andrews Jersey . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. Authentic Jordan Lasley Jersey . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. BOSTON -- The Colorado Avalanche jumped ahead early and got yet another win in Boston -- this time to end a recent skid.Matt Duchene scored his 10th goal and John Mitchell got his first, lifting the Avalanche over the Boston Bruins 4-2 on Thursday night.The Avs had lost four straight and five of six, but again came out winners in Boston, where theyve won 10 times in their last 11 visits.We were off to a good start in the first period. We got a couple quick ones and we rode that, said Nathan MacKinnon, whose short-handed goal 12:57 into the game put Colorado up 2-0.The last time the Avs lost a game in Boston was March 30, 1998, when MacKinnon was just 2 years old.I had no idea. I know weve been hot here my first three years, MacKinnon said. Thats cool.Matt Duchene, John Mitchell and Carl Soderberg also scored for the Avs. Duchenes goal 5:30 into the game was the first of three unassisted tallies for Colorado, which shut down Boston in the third period after David Pastrnak scored twice in the second to pull the Bruins within 3-2.The Avs hadnt won since beating Columbus 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 21.We found a way to score first, which was nice, Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. We havent done that much lately, especially on this losing streak.Boston, coming off an overtime loss the night before at Washington, ended a streak of six straight games with a point. The Bruins are 4-1-2 in their last seven.Anton Khudobin had 18 saves for Boston, which fell behind 3-0 for the second straight night. The Bruins rallied Wednesday with three unanswered goals to force overtime before the Capitals won it 4-3. The Bruins didnt seem to have the energy for another comeback Thursday, getting just eight shots on goal in the third period.Until you can find your legs, youve got to be smart, and we werent, Boston coach Claude Julien said. We gave up some soft goals and certainly dug ourselvees a hole.ddddddddddddPastrnaks goals 1:20 apart in the second period briefly revived Boston, but the Bruins didnt score again despite outshooting Colorado 31-22 for the game.Calvin Pickard made 29 saves for the Avs.I think the second period we could have tidied it up a little bit. We lost some momentum, Duchene said. I think there is still lots of room for improvement but a start like that -- you get out to a 3-0 lead -- its pretty tough to blow that. Youve got to really play poorly and we played really solid in the third and especially in the first.Colorado led 2-0 after the first, then Mitchell made it 3-0 after forcing a turnover at the Colorado blue line and taking it the other way for a wrist shot that beat Khudobin on the stick side.It was only the 11th shot of the game for the Avalanche, who took an early lead on Duchenes 10th goal of the season and went up 2-0 when MacKinnon scored at 12:57.Pastrnak got Boston on the board with a breakaway goal just after getting out of the penalty box, then struck again on a slap shot from above the circles, the 18th goal of the season for Bostons 20-year old rising star.Game notes Avs RW Jarome Iginla played in his 1,499th career game, tying Mike Modano for 16th on the NHL career list. ... Colorado LW Gabriel Landeskogs return from a lower-body injury was delayed by an illness. Ladeskog missed his 10th straight game. ...Pastrnak and Pittsburghs Sidney Crosby are tied for the NHL lead in goals. ... Pastrnak extended his points streak to five straight games, scoring five goals and getting two assists during the span. ... Boston fell to 1-4 this season in the second of back-to-back games.UP NEXTAvalanche: Travel to Montreal for a game Saturday night.Bruins: Host the Maple Leafs on Saturday night. White NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys Youth NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Hoodies Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys ' ' '