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Kapernick Speaks On How Differently People React to Him Based on the Racial Demographics of the City

*Colin Kaepernick Reveals How Places Like Atlanta and Buffalo Differed When It Came to His National Anthem Protest

*QB Colin Kaepernick Implies That Majority-White Cities Give Him the Hardest Time

*Kaepernick Points Out How Harsh Majority-White Cities Treated Him Compared to Majority-Black Ones

*Despite Criticism and a Losing Record, Kaepernick Appreciates the Love Cities Like Atlanta Gave Him

**Kaepernick Says Responses to Anthem Protest Vary Dramatically, Depending On Where He Plays
**Atlanta Gives Kaepernick Love for His Protest Against Racial Injustice; Buffalo, Not So Much

San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick told reporters Tuesday, Dec. 20, that support for his national anthem protest varied greatly throughout the season, depending on the city the team played in.

The starting quarterback propelled himself into the national spotlight in late August by sitting during the anthem — eventually deciding to take a knee instead — to protest white supremacy, police brutality and racial inequities.

The response to his season-long protest has been mixed, to say the least.

“I think that’s something, to me, that was very evident depending on where we were playing,” Kaepernick says. “Atlanta was somewhere where I had a lot of support. A lot of people saying they agreed with what I’m doing, support it and are happy that I did it, and to keep going and to stay strong.”

But the QB said some venues were extremely difficult for him, citing in particular the team’s October game in Buffalo. Fans were able to purchase T-shirts outside the stadium that featured a rifle target over Kaepernick’s likeness. There also were shirts with the words “Shut Up and Stand Up” embossed on the front.

But the QB remained steadfast and undeterred: He arrived at the stadium proudly wearing a Muhammad Ali-inspired graphic T-shirt.

“And there’s other places where the fans don’t agree as much,” Kaepernick says. “So, it shows the different cultures and the different beliefs throughout this country. And it also makes it very evident that there’s a different perspective between white America and Black America.”

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