Chip Kelly Comments on Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem Protest

As Colin Kaepernick's protest continues to grow across all sports, San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly is supporting his quarterback's quest to shine a light on racial injustice in this country.  

Per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Kelly said Kaepernick is "shedding light on a situation that's heinous."

Per Rob Lowder of USA Today, Kelly went on to say we "all have inalienable rights as citizens that are being violated. Colin is shedding light on that."

Wide receiver Torrey Smith took to Twitter to express excitement about Kelly's statements: 

"

That's my coach  https://t.co/PMrBXNOfZX

— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) September 22, 2016"

This is not the first time Kelly has spoken about Kaepernick kneeling as the national anthem plays before games, though his statements have changed somewhat. 

Prior to the 49ers' season opener on September 12, per the Associated Press, Kelly said they (as a team) "recognize and respect Kap's decision, and his constitutional rights to do what he's doing."

Kaepernick's protest has grown beyond anything happening on the football field. The Indiana Fever's entire team took a knee prior to Wednesday's WNBA playoff game as the national anthem was playing, via Mark McClune of CBS 5 in Phoenix:

Time magazine announced its latest issue will have a feature story on Kaepernick, and he is gracing the cover in his kneeling pose with a black background.

Other players around the NFL have joined Kaepernick in kneeling before the national anthem, while others have also been raising their right hand in the black power salute.