San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly has announced that Colin Kaepernick will start at quarterback for the team this weekend against Buffalo Bills.
It will be the first time Kaepernick has started a game this season, since he refused to stand for the American national anthem in pre-season games. The 28-year-old has since taken a knee for every game in recent weeks.
Kaepernick has not started a regular season game in almost a year for the 49ers. His last start came in the 27-6 loss to the St. Louis Rams on November 1st last year.
Blaine Gabbert started the season at quarterback for the Californian team. Apart from an opening weekend win against the Los Angeles Rams, the 49ers have lost their last four games and have a 1-4 record. It's the joint second-worst of the NFL's 32 teams.
Chip Kelly: "@Kaepernick7 will start this week." #SFvsBUF pic.twitter.com/rFipkerwK3
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 11, 2016
Kaepernick is still being roundly castigated for the refusal to stand for the American national anthem, but has seen support from teammates and other players throughout the NFL.
Speaking originally about his decision not to stand for the anthem, Kaepernick said he would not "show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour".
Sunday's game in Buffalo may give the quarterback a second chance to rebuild his career. It's worth remembering, he led the team to a narrow SuperBowl loss as recently at 2013.
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