49ers’ Eric Reid joins Colin Kaepernick in protesting national anthem

49ers safety Eric Reid joined Colin Kaepernick in protesting the national anthem ahead of Thursday’s preseason game.

49ers safety Eric Reid joined Colin Kaepernick in protesting the national anthem ahead of Thursday’s preseason game.

San Francisco traveled to San Diego to face the Chargers in a game that was billed as Military Night at Qualcomm Stadium.

Kaepernick has decided not to stand for the national anthem during the preseason in protest of racial inequalities and injustices taking place in America, including police-related violence. According to reporters on site, Kaepernick and Reid both took a knee as the anthem played Thursday.

“I think it would be foolish if you were to say there isn’t an issue in this country with minorities. There’s a million issues in America and this is something he feels strongly about and I respect him for voicing his opinion on it,” Reid, who is African-American, told reporters earlier this week.

The 49ers and NFL have both issued statements supporting players’ rights to decide.

Reid also contributed a column for the MMQB earlier this year following the killing of Alton Sterling by police in his hometown of Baton Rouge, La.

• MMQB: My Home, by Eric Reid

Also in attendance at the game was Nate Boyer, the former Seahawks long snapper who also spent time serving as a green beret. Boyer and Kaepernick had an amicable meeting ahead of the game. He wrote an open letter in defense of the quarterback earlier this week.

Kaepernick standing and applauding on 49ers sideline as US veterans are asked to stand during break here in the second quarter

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 2, 2016

Kaepernick started the game for the 49ers and was booed by fans as he took the field. Later in the game, he was seen standing and applauding on the sidelines as U.S. veterans were honored. He has specified this week that his stance is not anti-military.

Elsewhere in the NFL, Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane reportedly also sat during the national anthem ahead of Seattle’s game against Oakland.