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SAN DIEGO -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem Thursday night and in his new position, he wasnt alone.On Sunday, Kaepernick vowed to continue sitting during the national anthem until he was satisfied with the changes made toward ending racial oppression in the United States.But after a roughly 90-minute discussion with Nate Boyer, the former Army Green Beret and long-snapper, and safety Eric Reid at the team hotel on Thursday afternoon, Kaepernick shifted gears in an effort to be more respectful to those offended by his protest.We were talking to him about how can we get the message back on track and not take away from the military, not take away from pride in our country but keep the focus on what the issues really are, Kaepernick said. As we talked about it, we came up with taking a knee because there are issues that still need to be addressed and there was also a way to show more respect for the men and women that fight for this country.So when the national anthem began playing Thursday night at Qualcomm Stadium, Kaepernick and Reid took a knee while Boyer stood next to them.For the rest of the night, the San Diego Chargers celebrated their Salute to the Military night for the 28th year with various tributes to the troops throughout. Kaepernick knelt during the anthem, applauded veterans and active military during a first-half break with Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA playing and stood for a rendition of God Bless America, clapping at the end of that as well.Once again, Im not anti-American, Kaepernick said. I love America. I love people. Thats why Im doing this. I want to help make America better. I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from.Those conversations are important to have because the better we understand each other, the better we know each other, the better we can deal and communicate with each other which ultimately makes everyone, puts everybody in a better position.After the game, Kaepernick spent time signing autographs for a large contingent of 49ers fans who stuck around until the end of the Niners 31-21 win in the preseason finale. He then spoke to the media for more than 16 minutes, announcing that he plans to donate the first $1 million he makes this year to help communities in need as part of his plan to take a more active role in combating racial inequality.It was something I was thinking about to try to make sure that Im not just talking about something but Im actively being involved and actively trying to make a change in these communities and Ive been very blessed to be in this position and be able to make the kind of money I do and I have to help these people, Kaepernick said. I have to help these communities. Its not right that theyre not put in the position to succeed or given those opportunities to succeed.Earlier in the week, Boyer penned a letter to Kaepernick on ArmyTimes.com, a letter Kaepernick read and which spurred Kaepernick to invite Boyer to attend the game as a guest of him and the team.Boyer told ESPN that he and Kaepernick had never met before Thursday but he, Kaepernick and Reid had a productive conversation in which they exchanged their views and ideas on Kaepernicks stance and sought a way to be more respectful to the military during the anthem.Reid said he began thinking about joining Kaepernick earlier in the week and the pair had a number of conversations throughout the week. But Reid had reservations about sitting down and Kaepernick understood the anger it caused in people so the conversation with Boyer helped them find a middle ground.He saw that it hurt people that he sat during the national anthem, Reid said. There are people that actually put their lives on the line for this country to give us freedom. We talked for a couple days, to figure out a way to be more respectful of those people and the national anthem of the country while still maintaining the stance that there needs to be things done about these issues. And it was just today actually, a couple hours before the game, we were like, hey, why dont you take a knee and that way youre not isolated from the team, youre not sitting down during the national anthem, youre just changing your physical position, being more respectful to those people while still maintaining your stance on these issues.Nate agreed with that. Thats how it happened.Coach Chip Kelly told reporters after the game that he did not know Reid was planning to kneel with Kaepernick.I was not aware of that, Kelly said. All I was aware of was that Nate Boyer was going to be out there.Once the game got going, Kaepernick was greeted by boos from Chargers fans every time he stepped on the field. He led the Niners on a touchdown drive on the games opening possession and went on to go 11-of-18 for 103 yards with four carries for 38 yards.Kaepernick has been the subject of rumors about a possible departure from the Niners dating to the spring but made it clear after the game that he still views the 49ers as a franchise near and dear to his heart.This is a phenomenal organization, Kaepernick said. Ive had great conversations here. Ive had great memories here. This team has given me the opportunity to become the man I am today. Im grateful for that, Im thankful for that. And San Francisco has become my home.Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane also joined Kaepernicks protest, albeit up the coast in Oakland, taking a seat Thursday night during the anthem before a game against the Raiders.Ive had numbers of players [reach out], Kaepernick said. I think there are a lot of conversations happening not only in NFL locker rooms but around the country. Ive also had friends that arent on football teams say I respect what youre doing, I support you and Ive had more conversations about human rights and oppression and things that need to change in the last week than Ive had in my entire life. And the fact that those conversations are happening is a start.Lane said he was simply standing behind?Kaepernick but that he was prepared for a negative reaction.And I dont mean no disrespect to anybody, but Im just standing behind what I believe in,?Lane said.When Kaepernick left the field following pregame warm-ups, he was greeted with profanity and obscene gestures from Leo Uzcategui, a 20-year Navy veteran in a military-green Chargers jersey with quarterback Philip Rivers No. 17 in camouflage numbering.I was in the Navy, and I saw men and women bleed and die for this flag, Uzcategui said. If he wants to do something, go to some outreach program where he can do some good. And I get it, his First Amendment right. But you dont sit during the presenting of the colors, and you dont sit during the national anthem. That is not the way to do it.Domenique Banks, a 23-year-old fan from nearby Oceanside, California, got the quarterback to sign his Kaepernick jersey before the game.I told him I appreciate what he is standing up for, Banks said. He said he appreciated it. Most of the people I talk to say the same thing. I dont like that he is sitting during the national anthem, but I appreciate what he is standing for.One sign in the crowd read: Youre an American. Act like one.Information from ESPNs Paul Gutierrez and The Associated Press was used in this report. Destockage Nike Air Max . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Air Max Pas Cher Chine . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. http://www.airmaxpascher.info/ . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Air Max Pas Cher En Ligne . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Chaussure Air Max Pas Cher . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. PITTSBURGH -- Jordan Dangerfield never lost faith, even as the months passed and the dreaded visits to Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlins office informing the safety he was being released from the teams practice squad piled up.Three times between August 2014 and July 2015 Dangerfield found himself looking for work because the Steelers had needs in other areas. And three times they called back, asking Dangerfield if he wanted to put his hand in the pile one more time. Three times Dangerfield said yes.I know guys in the league that I played with that were in the same position, Dangerfield said. I just had to be patient and wait for my time.One that finally presented itself this summer, when Dangerfield made Pittsburghs 53-man roster as a special teamer then found himself making his first career start last week against Kansas City while Robert Golden nursed an aching hamstring.Save for a couple -- OK, more than a couple -- pregame butterflies, Dangerfield proved he belonged, collecting five tackles while hardly looking overwhelmed by the stage. Dangerfield called his performance a sigh of relief, but nothing more.Im not satisfied from that, Dangerfield said. I have to develop my game and improve all around.And thats kind of the point of having a practice squad in the first place, especially in Pittsburgh. A franchise that prides itself on continuity loves to take fliers on players looking for a foothold in the league and molding them into difference makers.I think when guys come here they have that belief, if something happens coach isnt necessarily going to the outside world and pull a guy from a different team, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. Hes going to give a guy here a shot first. That makes guys believe and understand in themselves and the system here.The proof is scattered throughout the roster. The list of practice squad graduates who will be in uniform for the Steelers (3-1) on Sunday when the New York Jets (1-3) visit include five-time Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison and starting left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, a former Army Ranger who now protects the blind side of the man who controls one of the NFLs most dangerous offenses.At some point, Villanueva could be joined in the huddle by tight end Xavier Grimble and right tackle Chris Hubbard, both of former practice squadders who now find themselves thrust into more prominent roles due to injury. Grimble scored the first touchdown on his career in Week 2 against Cincinnati and like Dangerfield -- who was out of football completely in 2013 after failing to make the Buffalo Bills before eventually landing in Pittsburgh -- the former USC tight end took a winding path back to beeing in uniform on game days.ddddddddddddGrimble came out of USC after his junior season in 2013 and went undrafted then bounced between practice squads in New England and San Francisco before catching on in Pittsburgh. There was something about the vibe with the Steelers that was just different.From day one when I got here, there was pressure on me to learn the plays and produce and show what I could do on offense, Grimble said. They call it a developmental group. Youre here for a reason.And its not to just serve as a live tackling dummy. They line up with the starters occasionally and are expected to keep copious notes regardless of status.Were in all the meetings, basically all the team meetings, Dangerfield said. They keep you active. We dont just come run, lift, go to practice and use our bodies at practice. They develop us on and off the field.Such an existence, however, can be tenuous at best. Any little injury that can keep you from the practice field means your time is up. Living arrangements are on a month-to-month basis. Yet there is also a brotherhood among the 10-man practice squad that is hard to replicate. When one of them gets promoted, in a way they all do.Youre always rooting for everybody but practice squad is what it is, its an uphill battle, Grimble said. Youre happy to see guys fight through that adversity and make it on a 53-man roster.The opportunities are coming quickly for Pittsburghs current group with injuries piling up quickly. Grimble only survived cut day because free agent signee Ladarius Green is dealing with an ankle injury thats kept him on the physically unable to perform list. Whenever Green gets healthy, Grimble may become expendable.Dangerfield has become a special teams ace, likely making his spot a little more secure. Hes nowhere near ready to say that hes made it but he did make at least one small change to his lifestyle. He signed a six-month lease before the season. Its not a permanent address, but it sure beats those lonely workouts in the fall of 2013 waiting for the phone to ring.Before the game on Sunday night I was definitely thinking about the time I was sitting at home for a whole year of football, he said. Im thankful for the opportunity I got.Game notes G Ramon Foster (chest) was limited in practice but expects to play after missing last week. ... RT Marcus Gilbert (ankle) did not practice. Hubbard filled in. ... T Ryan Harris (shin), LB Jarvis Jones (ankle), LB Ryan Shazier (knee) did not practice.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Chiefs Jerseys China Cheap Nike Chargers Jerseys Cheap Nike Raiders Jerseys Wholesale Cowboys Jerseys China Cheap Nike Giants Jerseys Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys For Sale Wholesale Redskins Jerseys China Cheap Nike Lions Jerseys Packers Jerseys China Cheap Vikings Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Panthers Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Saints Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike Buccaneers Jerseys Cardinals Jerseys China Cheap Rams Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Nike 49ers Jerseys Seahawks Jerseys China Bears Jerseys China Cheap Nike Bills Jerseys Ravens Jerseys China Wholesale Falcons Jerseys China ' ' '