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Colin Kaepernick "drove me nuts," says ex-San Francisco 49ers teammate

By Alex Butler
San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick and Alex Boone react after Kaepernick runs the ball in the endzone 7 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter against the New York Jets in week 4 of the NFL season at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on September 30, 2012. UPI /John Angelillo
San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick and Alex Boone react after Kaepernick runs the ball in the endzone 7 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter against the New York Jets in week 4 of the NFL season at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on September 30, 2012. UPI /John Angelillo | License Photo

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- If Alex Boone and Colin Kaepernick were still tammates, Boone thinks they "would have had a problem on the sideline," after the quarterback's recent protest of the national anthem.

Boone told USA TODAY that Kaepernick should "show some respect."

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"See, I'm a very emotional person," Boone told USA TODAY. "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."

"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."

Boone's brother was a Marine who served in Iraq. The guard, 29, currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings. Boone spent six seasons with the 49ers, five with Kaepernick.

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Kaepernick's current teammates met with him Sunday to talk about his choice not to stand for the national anthem. Niners center Daniel Kilgore was originally offended by Kaepernick's decision.

"I can see where people would think it's bad with the national anthem and the military," Kilgore told CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. "For me, I'm going to stand there every time. I'm going to think about and honor those who are fighting and those who have fought, my family members, my friends. If Kap decides not to, that's his decision."

"In seeing his point of view, it does help. It clears the air. It was a good meeting. It was a productive meeting. We're all under the same understanding that he has that right. And for me, personally, I see where Colin was coming from. I don't agree with him not standing up for the national anthem, but I do respect and acknowledge the fact that he has the right to decide what he wants to do."

Kaepernick, who was already fighting for the starting quarterback job, is now allegedly fighting for a roster spot.

"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 NFL Media after the 49ers loss Friday to the Green Bay Packers. "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."

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The 49ers said that it recognizes individual's rights to participate or not in the nation anthem. The NFL said that players are not required to stand for the national anthem. Coach Chip Kelly has offered the same sentiment.

As for Kaepernick? He said he will continue to sit while the anthem is played.

"Yes, I'll continue to sit," Kaepernick told NFL.com. "I'm going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed," Kaepernick said during an 18-minute interview session with reporters. "To me, this is something that has to change. When there's significant change, and I feel like that flag represents what it's supposed to represent and this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to, I'll stand."

If he is still on the roster, he'll have another chance to do that Thursday, in the 49ers' final preseason game against the San Diego Chargers.

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