Colin Kaepernick to Donate $1 Million to Charities as Part of Anthem Protest

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has pledged to donate $1 million to community organizations in conjunction with his national anthem protest.

"I am planning to take it a step further, I'm currently working with organizations to be involved, and making sure I'm actively in these communities, as well as donating the first million dollars I make this year to different organizations to help these communities and help these people," he said on Sept. 1, per NBC News.

On Tuesday, Kaepernick said he will donate $100,000 a month for the next 10 months, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. 

After the 49ers' 31-21 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 1, Kaepernick discussed the motivation behind his decision.

"I've been very blessed to be in this position and make the kind of money I do, and I have to help these people," he said, according to NBC News. "I have to help these communities. It's not right that they're not put in the position to succeed, or given the opportunities to succeed."

Kaepernick first protested "The Star-Spangled Banner" before last Friday's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, and he told NFL.com's Steve Wyche his silent protest was in defense of those who he believed have been treated unjustly. 

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick said. "To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Thursday against the Chargers, Kaepernick opted against standing for the anthem again as he took a knee on the sideline beside 49ers safety Eric Reid.  

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane followed Kaepernick's lead Thursday when he sat on the bench before his team's exhibition finale against the Oakland Raiders, as documented by the Associated Press (via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport): 

Lane, who said he was "standing behind" Kaepernick, per NBC News, said he will continue to sit for the anthem moving forward.

"It's something I plan to keep on doing until I feel like justice has been served," Lane explained. "No, I didn't tell anyone I was going to do it. I just did it. ... I don't mean no disrespect toward anybody, but I'm just standing behind what I believe." 

Friday, ESPN's Jim Trotter noted he was struck by how members of both the 49ers and Chargers backed Kaepernick:

Trotter also reported, "Some 49ers told me they likely would've sat with Kaep the 1st time if he had told them beforehand he was going to make a silent protest."