Colin Kaepernick Will Sit as the Chargers Salute the Military Tonight

For the 28th year in a row, the San Diego Chargers will “Salute to the Military” tonight before a preseason game against the 49ers. The details of the event sound swell:

"The national anthem will be performed by Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Powell from the U.S. Navy while 240 sailors, Marines and soldiers present a huge American flag, the Chargers announced. Powell will return at the start of the third quarter to perform “God Bless America.”"

Colin Kaepernick plans to sit down for all of that while the rest of the players on the field stand to salute.

"That’s not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody.”"

Way to go, Kaepernick. You’ve taken a stand and five days later it has accomplished nothing, except to get everyone angry about the National Anthem. Other protests could have turned this discussion into one about oppression of African Americans and minorities – certainly a worthy discussion – but this is the path you choose.

Once the college football games begin tonight and then into Saturday, most of this discussion will hit the backburner, and the guess here is Kaepernick will be released by the 49ers sometime over the holiday weekend, perhaps Saturday afternoon. (Chip did say earlier this week that Kaepernick is one of the two best QBs on the roster, so maybe Kaepernick survives?)

Kaepernick will be a talking point Tuesday and Wednesday, and then hit the backburner as the NFL games begin. And what will Kaepernick have accomplished?