49ers notebook: Two 49ers, two Rams join national anthem demonstrations

SANTA CLARA - Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid took a knee. Eli Harold, Antoine Bethea, Robert Quinn and Kenny Britt raised their fists. Quinton Dial helped servicemen and women hold the giant flag hovering over the field.

And that was your national anthem update from Levi’s Stadium.

Kaepernick, the 49ers backup quarterback, ignited a national firestorm in August when he divulged that he was not standing for the “Star Spangled Banner,” explaining that he was protesting the treatment of African-Americans by law enforcement in this country.

Many commentators, celebrities and other athletes have publicly supported Kaepernick, but a legion of football fans and social media users attacked him as selfish and unpatriotic.

Kaepernick began his protest by sitting on the bench but, joined by Reid, the San Francisco free safety, began going down to one knee at the 49ers’ final preseason game. Since then, the silent stance has spread to at least 18 players on eight teams, including four on the Dolphins and three on the Titans.

That now includes the 49ers’ Harold, a linebacker, and Bethea, a strong safety, and the Rams’ Quinn, a defensive end, and Britt, a wide receiver.

MEN IN BLUE (NOT THE RAMS)

On Sept. 2, the Santa Clara Police Officer’s Association sent a letter to the 49ers expressing their disregard for Kaepernick’s protest. That letter prompted concern that Santa Clara Police Department officers would refuse to work Monday night’s game. But no boycott materialized.

“The union put out a memo stating that because of Kaepernick’s actions, some officers might choose not to work the stadium, because it’s a voluntary assignment that they sign up for,” Santa Clara PD lieutenant Dan Moreno told The Press Democrat Monday. “However, no one has boycotted or not signed up for that reason, that I’m aware of.”

“I think officers realize that the safety of the fans, the players and everybody at the stadium takes precedent over someone’s words or actions,” Moreno added.

The lieutenant noted that there was a full detail of law enforcement at the 49ers-Rams game. He didn’t know the exact number, but said it was between 100 and 120 officers, a mix of Santa Clara PD and “double badgers” from other units wearing SCPD uniforms.

The decision to work NFL games doesn’t mean some cops aren’t bugged at being in protestors’ crosshairs.

“I can tell you that some officers don’t agree with it, don’t like it,” Moreno said. “However, they have a constitutional right to do whatever they choose. … Yeah, somebody can do whatever they want. We’re still gonna do our job and keep the place safe.”