San Francisco

Kaepernick Doesn't Show at Third Baptist Church in San Francisco

Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in the spotlight for failing to stand up during pregame national anthems and voicing controversial comments directed toward police, was scheduled to speak at a church in San Francisco Sunday morning, but was unable to attend.

Rev. Amos Brown said during the service that "because of the rigors of his training," Kaepernick would not be in attendance. Brown added that Kaepernick will speak at the church on a later date.

"I was disappointed but he has a job and he really has to work," said high school student Damasus Antone. "I was expecting to see him, but he’s a busy man. It’s all right."

It wasn't all right with Jeremy Vazquez, a Mission High School teacher who brought a dozen students and their families to the church to consider Kaepernick as a role model.

"When you say you’re going to do something, that’s your bond, that says a lot," Vazquez said. "Maybe he got cold feet or was overcommitted. But this should have been his top priority. It would’ve been a great opportunity for him."

Despite the no-show, activists and dignitaries, including former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, stood at the podium and captivated the crowd while voicing support for Kaepernick and his message.

"The level of racism being accepted all over this country deserves focused attention and the symbols that can cause that attention to be focused, those symbols should be utilized," the former mayor said. "Colin Kaepernick is one of those symbols."

The 49ers signal caller was invited to speak by Rev. Amos Brown from Third Baptist Church in the city after Brown received a call from an NAACP leader in Chicago who said that Kaepernick could use some backing.

"I immediately got into contact with (Kaepernick's) agent and decided we would stand on his position with him and make sure that the truth is seen and he would not be villified," Brown said.

Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in the spotlight for failing to stand up during pre-game national anthems and voicing controversial comments directed toward police, will be speaking at a church in San Francisco Sunday morning. Christie Smith reports.

Brown, who is the NAACP leader in San Francisco, said that the 28-year-old quarterback would address the congregation about his reasoning for sitting down or kneeling while the national anthem played before four preseason contests as well as continue his discussion about police treatment of people of color.

"I think its high time that people stop and listen," Brown said. "(Kaepernick) has not painted all policemen with one broad sweep of a brush. He is talking about a systemic problem."

Officers from the Santa Clara Police Officers Association penned a letter Friday saying that they may boycott working 49ers games if the organization does not take action against the quarterback for his remarks stating that officers "murder minorities." Those officers were also angered by Kaepernick's choice to wear socks depicting pigs in police uniforms during a practice last week.

Kaepernick's stance has also drawn criticism from fellow NFL players and other local police agencies, who have openly invited Kaepernick to attend training sessions so that the quarterback can witness how members of the police force are instructed to handle use of force scenarios.

NBC Bay Area's Chuck Coppola contributed to this report.

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