A Gold Star mother whose son was killed fighting in Afghanistan forcefully condemned Colin Kaepernick’s refusal last week to stand during a pre-game performance of the National Anthem, calling the 49ers quarterback "ungrateful, privileged, and arrogant."
"Mr. Kaepernick, I am sitting in my living room looking outside at my American Flag—flying at half staff. You see, my son’s body lay in a street after an IED [improvised explosive device] blew up the vehicle he was fighting in. His blood stains the sands of Afghanistan," the mother wrote, according to a Sunday Twitter post from CNN anchor Jake Tapper.
"He died protecting the ideals of the flag you refuse to respect. He died so that ungrateful, privileged, arrogant men like you can be just that—ungrateful, privileged, and arrogant," continued the mother, who was unnamed.
Kaepernick told NFL Media on Friday night that he refused to stand up "to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."
"To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way," he said. "There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."
The Gold Star mother called Kaepernick’s "disrespect" to the flag shameful, particularly in light of his role as a public figure who can influence young Americans.
"Men and women [are] willing to die to protect you because they believe in the ideals this country was founded on. Men and women of all races and all religions," she said. "Ask them, sir, about pride in the American Flag. Ask them how their heart feels when they hear the National Anthem being sung."
"Shame on you for your disrespect," she added.
Kaepernick doubled down on his refusal to stand Sunday, telling NFL Media he would continue to sit during the National Anthem until he feels the American flag "represents what it’s supposed to."
Vikings guard Alex Boone, whose brother service in the U.S. Marine Corps, said his former teammate "should have some [expletive] respect for people who served."
"Especially people that lost their life to protect our freedom," Boone told USA Today on Sunday. "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."
Boone, who spoke while wearing a shirt bearing the name of deceased Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, called Kaepernick’s actions "shameful."