Colin Kapernick is at the center of controversy for multiple incidents involving both the National Anthem and police officers. The first was during a preseason game he decided, as an act of protest, to sit down during the National Anthem. An act of heresy in any situation, but Kapernick felt he was justified.  “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told media after the game. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

The second act was wearing socks with pigs on them. Not a crime ordinarily, but consider that the dogs had police hats on them, and the metaphor becomes increasingly clear. Police violence and brutality have been an issue in the media lately, and Kapernick’s stance has been very divisive. Some like his own birth mother have been against the way he went about it, going on Twitter to lend her voice.

Kapernick’s protest has also been praised, even inspiring other players do to it. Brandon Marshall, a former college and fraternity brother, kneeled down during the National Anthem on the NFL season opener. “I thought about it all the way up until when the lady was going to start singing,” Marshall said after the Broncos’ 21-20 win. “I was like, hmm, they’re going to get on me. At the end of the day, I’m definitely good with my decision.”

The next game Kapernick will play in is on Sept 25^th against the Seattle Seahawks.