Colin Kaepernick booed after refusing to stand for US national anthem AGAIN at San Francisco 49ers game against San Diego Chargers

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS quarterback Colin Kaepernick was loudly booed after refusing to stand for the US national anthem again on Thursday in a racial protest.

Kaepernick has triggered furious debate over his decision to sit during the playing of the anthem in a protest aimed at drawing attention to the plight of blacks in America.

The 28-year-old crouched on one knee during the anthem on Thursday as the 49ers prepared to face the San Diego Chargers in their last pre-season game.

But Kaepernick vowed to maintain his boycott of the US national anthem for as long as necessary.

Speaking after the game, Kaepernick said: “I’m not anti-American, I love America, I love people. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make things better.

“And I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from.”

“As far as how long this goes, I’m not sure,” he added.

“I want to be able to effect change and I think there are a lot of other people that want to do that as well.

“I think there are conversations happening not only in NFL locker rooms, but around the country. I’ve had friends that aren’t on football teams say ‘I respect what you’re doing, I support you.'”

“I’ve had more conversations about human rights and oppression and things that need to change in the past week than I’ve had in my entire life,” he added. “The fact that those conversations are happening is a start.”

His latest protest – which drew support from teammate Eric Reid, who also knelt – came on a night when the Chargers honoured US military personnel in a “Salute to the Military.”

As Kaepernick took a knee near the 49ers bench, a navy officer sang the anthem while 240 sailors, marines and soldiers presented a US flag and emblems from branches of service.

Following the rendition of the anthem, the crowd booed Kaepernick relentlessly every time he took a snap.

A banner in the crowd read: “You’re an American. Act like one.”

However, the jeering did little to deter Kaepernick, who led the team on a smooth 16-play opening drive for an early touchdown to put the 49ers ahead.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump described Kaepernick’s anthem boycott as a “terrible thing,” suggesting the player should move to another country.

“Maybe he should find a country that works better for him, let him try, it’s not gonna happen,” Trump said.

However, Kaepernick’s stance has won applause from veteran civil rights campaigners and sporting icons including Tommie Smith, the sprinter who performed a “Black Power” salute alongside John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.

“He’s being vilified in how he brings the truth out,” Smith said on Tuesday. “I support him because he’s bringing the truth out — regardless of how done. If it’s not done violently, at least he should be heard.”