Harbaugh clarifies stance on Kaepernick protest, supports QB's motivation
Jim Harbaugh was quick to issue a correction to his words Monday after initially taking a strong stance against Colin Kaepernick's recent protest.
The former San Francisco 49ers head coach took to Twitter in making an apology for mistakenly criticizing Kaepernick's motivation to sit out the national anthem, clarifying that he only has disagrees with the action itself.
I apologize for misspeaking my true sentiments. To clarify, I support Colin's motivation. It's his method of action that I take exception to
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) August 29, 2016
Harbaugh's initial comments had taken aim at Kaepernick for both.
"I acknowledge his right to do that, but I don't respect the motivation or the action," Harbaugh said, according to Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith.
Kaepernick has remain seated for the national anthem prior to each of the 49ers' first three preseason games. He explained himself at length when the football world took notice of the demonstration at the most recent contest.
"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 Steve Wyche of NFL.com. "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."
Harbaugh was at the helm in San Francisco for each of Kaepernick's first four seasons before parting ways with the club and landing at Michigan in 2015. Kaepernick's play has fallen off.