After droves of coverage over the past week boosting and largely defending San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to not stand for The Star-Spangled Banner during a preseason game, two of the “big three” networks shielded their viewers on Thursday night from learning that Kaepernick has been wearing anti-police socks at practice depicting law enforcement officers as pigs.
Overall, CBS Evening News covered the Kaepernick controversy ahead of their final preseason game on the road against the San Diego Chargers on Military Appreciation Night but ignored this new development about his sock choice while NBC Nightly News and Spanish-language networks Telemundo and Univision ignored Kaepernick.
ABC’s World News Tonight broke ranks on this disturbing move by not only highlighting the upcoming game in San Diego but also reserving 53 seconds for Kaepernick and his socks that he claimed are represented “rogue” police officers even though, honestly, it’s hard to tell based on the socks how one would distinguish good from bad officers.
“Next, San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick with another controversial move. Some saying he crossed the line again. First, he refused to stand for the National Anthem before a game against Green Bay and now, this image surfacing of his socks. Pigs, you see them there, dressed as police officers,” fill-in anchor Tom Llamas began before handing off to correspondent Kayna Whitworth.
Whitworth recapped Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the National Anthem last week but added that he’s “spark[ed] a new controversy by wearing these socks at practice, depicting police officers as pigs.”
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She further explained the annual decision by the Chargers to honor military personnel at a game and the outrage from the San Francisco Police Association in addition to Kaepernick’s statement informing the masses that he’s worn them before and still does to send a message to “rogue” cops:
Colin Kaepernick says he's worn them before, as a statement against “rogue” police who put “the community” and other officers “in danger” by, “creating an environment of tension and mistrust.” Now one of the country's largest police organizations, accusing Kaepernick of dishonoring officers.
Late Wednesday night, CBS’s Late Show host Stephen Colbert proclaimed that since The Star-Spangled Banner only began playing in 1918 to attract bigger crowds to baseball games, Kaepernick’s decision was “not that offensive” because, in his mind, The Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events has only been a “marketing” gimmick
The transcript of the segment from ABC’s World News Tonight on September 1 can be found below.
ABC’s World News Tonight
September 1, 2016
6:42 p.m. Eastern[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: National Anthem Uproar]
TOM LLAMAS: Next, San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick with another controversial move. Some saying he crossed the line again. First, he refused to stand for the National Anthem before a game against Green Bay and now, this image surfacing of his socks. Pigs, you see them there, dressed as police officers and tonight, Kaepernick has a message for some in law enforcement. Here's ABC’s Kayna Whitworth.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: National Anthem Uproar; Kaepernick Triggers New Controversy]
KAYNA WHITWORTH: Tonight, the quarterback who ignited a firestorm for refusing to stand during the National Anthem, sparking a new controversy by wearing these socks at practice, depicting police officers as pigs. Colin Kaepernick says he's worn them before, as a statement against “rogue” police who put “the community” and other officers “in danger” by, “creating an environment of tension and mistrust.” Now one of the country's largest police organizations, accusing Kaepernick of dishonoring officers. Tonight, the quarterback is planning to sit the National Anthem out again in San Diego. The Chargers hold a tribute to veterans every year and tonight is that night.
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN DUNCAN HUNTER (Calif.): I don't think we'd have a player like him, frankly, I think he'd be booed out or the owners would be forced to not accept someone like him.
WHITWORTH: But Kaepernick has said he’s still sitting.
KAEPERNICK: Cops are getting paid leave for killing people.
WHITWORTH: Some fans so upset they’re burning his jersey, but others like these veterans taking to Twitter to support his right to protest. “I served 25 years in the [Air Force] to protect everyone's 1st Amend[ment] rights. I support you.” The San Francisco Police Association has invited the 49ers quarterback to visit the academy. They’re also asking for an apology. Tom?
LLAMAS: All eyes will be on him at tonight’s game. Alright, Kayna, thank you.
