Alex Boone rips former teammate Kaepernick for disrespecting military
In his time with the San Francisco 49ers, guard Alex Boone was one of the more vocal players, especially when it came to defending his own.
Now that the outspoken blocker has moved to the Minnesota Vikings, he didn't hold back his opinion about former teammate Colin Kaepernick and his controversial decision to sit during the American national anthem.
"It’s hard for me, because my brother was a Marine, and he lost a lot of friends over there," Boone told USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero after the Vikings' preseason game Sunday. "That flag obviously gives (Kaepernick) the right to do whatever he wants. I understand it. At the same time, you should have some (expletive) respect for people who served, especially people that lost their life to protect our freedom.
"We’re out here playing a game, making millions of dollars. People are losing their life, and you don’t have the common courtesy to do that. That just drove me nuts."
Kaepernick has refused to stand for the playing of the national anthem before his team's three preseason games so far this season and announced his intention to continue doing so Sunday.
"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," the 49ers quarterback said Friday.
His perceived disrespect towards the military upset Boone, who sported a shirt featuring the name of late Navy SEAL and "American Sniper" movie subject Chris Kyle after his own preseason game Sunday.
"You see all these pictures of these veterans that have no legs, and they’re standing up in a wheelchair," Boone said. "I had a brother that served, and he lost friends, and I know how much it means to him. It’s shameful."
Boone says if he were still a member of the 49ers, his reaction may have been over the top.
"See, I’m a very emotional person. So, I think if I had known that, my emotions would’ve been rolling - I think we would’ve had a problem on the sideline," said Boone. "And I get that he can do whatever he wants. But there’s a time and a place. Show some respect, and that’s just how I feel."
In Kaepernick's comments Sunday, he said he respected members of the military and expressed concern about veterans being "treated unjustly by the country they fought for."