Colin Kaepernick (Twitter)
More praise and criticism erupted for a 49ers football star. Colin Kaepernick continued to generate buzz for two political statements based on his appearance. The first is his massive afro he sported while playing the San Diego Chargers Thursday. The second was a training camp photo of him in pig cop socks.
#KapSoBlack became a Twitter trending topic after viewers took notice of Kaepernick’s sky-high tresses.
Many celebrated his new pro-Black look in humorous fashion.
Morgan Jerkins provided photographic evidence of the quarterback’s “progression of wokeness.”
https://twitter.com/MorganJerkins/status/771664034886103041
@juoffer wondered if the new look would revive a classic Black hair ad.
#KapSoBlack he gon bring back Afro-Sheen ads pic.twitter.com/lyza7FrxOt
— jujoffer (@jujoffer) September 2, 2016
And the old-school theme continued.
Stacey Singleton proclaimed the athlete would strut into the Thursday night post-game press conference as if he were dancing in a “Soul Train” line.
#KapSoBlack he's gonna walk into his post game press conference like this pic.twitter.com/m3Y6szh0XW
— Stacey E. Singleton (@staceyNYCDC) September 2, 2016
As @MoreAndAgain quoted William DeVaughn’s “Be Thankful for What You Got.”
Bruh. Kap's fro. . . . #KapSoBlack he got a diamond in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene with the gangsta lean. Woohoooooooo.
— Genie Lauren's #FastLife (@MoreAndAgain) September 2, 2016
Meanwhile, @dexdigi brought the musical references into the 21st century.
#KapSoBlack he sent in a letter saying he'll only stand if they change the anthem to 'knuck if you buck'
— でじこと Dexter Thomas (@dexdigi) September 2, 2016
Ahead of the Sept. 1 pre-season matchup, controversy exploded when a photo resurfaced of Kaepernick in socks featuring cartoon pigs in police hats.
Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, admonished the NFL for its perceived endorsement of number seven’s appearance.
“It’s just ridiculous that the same league that prohibits the Dallas [Cowboys] football club from honoring the slain officers in their community with their uniforms stands silent when Kaepernick is dishonoring police officers with what he’s wearing on the field,” he told USA Today Sports.
The footballer addressed the discussion on Instagram yesterday, explaining that the image was not new. Kaepernick initially sported the apparel in August during training camp practice.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ0vPsQAGZQ/?taken-by=kaepernick7
“I wore these socks, in the past, because [of] the rogue cops that are allowed to hold positions in police departments…put the community in danger,” he said in part.
The fashion statement made a mark on fans, however.
I need a pair of those police pig socks
— Daniel Hernandez (@coolcrocs) September 2, 2016
Customers flocked online to buy them, and they sold out in some locations.
Fam, those pig socks are sold out! 😬
— I Am Not Your Negro (@iamtarsha) September 1, 2016
The frenzy followed Kaepernick’s week-long refusal to stand for the national anthem until a change is made in the oppression of African-Americans and people of color. At Thursday’s game, however, the athlete decided to take a knee to honor the military, according to Vibe.
