Jim Harbaugh on Colin Kaepernick: "I Don't Respect the Motivation"

Jim Harbaugh was asked about Colin Kaepernick’s decision to remain seated during the national anthem and subsequent fallout. He offered this response.

“I acknowledge his right to do that, but I don’t respect the motivation or the action.”

If Harbaugh was looking to craft a non-controversial, middle-of-the road answer, he failed miserably. Kaepernick’s motivation of racial equality has been clearly stated. There’s a big difference between not respecting the method of protest and the reasons behind it.

“Motivation” is the word he chose. Perhaps there will be clarification. It’s hard to imagine Harbaugh would want to open the floodgates of controversy days before the Wolverines’ first game. It’s possible he misspoke.

UPDATE: He says he misspoke.

Then again, he’s same person who sparked criticism for his passionate defense of an on-campus showing of American Sniper.