National anthem: San Francisco 49ers want 'to influence positive change'

Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Players, coaches, ownership and staff released a statement about the 30 San Francisco 49ers players who kneeled during Sunday's national anthem.

The sequence occurred before the Arizona Cardinals beat the 49ers 18-15.

More than half of the 49ers' 53-man roster knelt down in a line in front of standing teammates. Almost all of the players had their hands over their hearts during the song.

Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepenrick began the anthem protests in 2016 to take a stand against racial inequality and police brutality.

"At its purest level, football is a unifier of people from all walks of life, different socio-economic backgrounds, every corner of this country and around the world," the 49ers statement said. "As players, coaches, ownership and staff, we are privileged to work in an environment that is a tremendous example of how people can come together for a common goal. We not only put our differences aside, but we also use them to achieve that common goal by challenging each other to be better -- both in our professional and personal lives.

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"For more than a year, members of our team have protested the oppression and social injustices still present in our society. While some may not have taken a knee or raised a fist, we have all shared the desire to influence positive change. Today, our team chose to publicly display our unity in a new way and, in turn, urge others do the same. Our demonstration is simply a representation of how we hope our country can also come together by putting differences aside and solving its problems.

"As the majority of us have done throughout our careers, we use our platform as members of an NFL team, and our right to freedom of expression, to speak up for those whose voice is not heard. It is important that we continue to emphasize that despite our different backgrounds and beliefs, we still love each other and are truly a brotherhood. Our gesture today was an intentional effort to demonstrate that. Make no mistake, we love this great country and have tremendous respect for our military and veterans who have sacrificed so much for our right to express ourselves freely. We passionately want what is best for this country and all its citizens.

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"On behalf of the San Francisco 49ers organization, we urge our fellow citizens to embrace your differences, find strength in them and come together for the good of all."

Team owner Jed York and general manager John Lynch also joined the 49ers on the field for the national anthem.

Former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick (7) kneels alongside teammate Eric Reid during the National Anthem before playing the Los Angeles Rams in 2016 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. File photo by Bruce Gordon/UPI

Boos could be heard raining down on the 49ers from the crowd at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

The 49ers face the Indianapolis Colts in another road matchup at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.