This article contains explicit content.
For the first time since he stirred national debate by kneeling for the national anthem to protest racial injustice, Colin Kaepernick on Sunday took to a football field as the San Fancisco 49ers’ starting quarterback.
He joined the lineup for an away matchup against Buffalo that was bound to stoke tensions outside the stadium as well as inside it. It was painfully clear from the outset that tailgating Bills fans had taken sides in the ongoing controversy, with many in the anti-Kaepernick camp sporting questionable T-shirts, signs, and slogans. Some images even put the guy in crosshairs, and one group was observed tackling an effigy with an Afro.
https://twitter.com/xmasape/status/787662285695102976
Fans saying "F— you, Kaepernick!" on the concourse. Some fans tried to get a similar chant started. No go.
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) October 16, 2016
Guy says he's showing disrespect to Kaepernick by misspelling his name pic.twitter.com/ctShf5crUB
— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) October 16, 2016
These are for sale in the #Bills lot.
— Duffy on WCMF (@DuffyOnWCMF) October 16, 2016
2 for $5. pic.twitter.com/NLTC2C9DeZ
Shirts with a rifle scope trained on Colin Kaepernick selling for $10 outside of Ralph Wilson stadium. pic.twitter.com/bSuxF3G5qq
— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) October 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/RobertKlemko/status/787697859739148288
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLoHDn0hPXD/
Bills fans greet Kaepernick with boos! #SFvsBUF https://t.co/CMgVla5vDP
— BeforeFamePics/Vines (@BeforeFamePics2) October 16, 2016
He of course knelt during the anthem, triggering further crowd response.
Cop behind Colin Kaepernick salutes during his anthem protest. https://t.co/SVdagIg135 pic.twitter.com/KM3rqMROXr
— theScore (@theScore) October 16, 2016
U-S-A chants ring out as anthem begins in Buffalo with Kaepernick on knee
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 16, 2016
A fan just threw a beer bottle at #49ers Colin Kaepernick on the sideline. The fan was escorted out by security. Hope the fan was arrested!
— Connie Marie (@connwo) October 16, 2016
Led by Kaepernick, the 49ers offense looked solid in the first half, with the backup quarterback going 8-of-11, including a 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith. But despite outscoring Buffalo initially, the Bills continued to run roughshod over the 49ers defense, heading into halftime ahead 17-13. Win or lose, it could get ugly in the parking lot afterward. Especially considering stuff like this happened before the game:
When will Kaepernick quit soiling the dignity of a sport whose fans chug beer out of each other’s butts? That’s anyone’s guess, really.