Local Veterans And Football Fans React To Kaepernick's Latest Protest

The Star-Spangled Banner kicks off another Friday night of high school football in Northwestern Pennsylvania. But emotions are still running high across the country after Colin Kaepernick's kneel down on Thursday night.

"He's got to understand that that flags flies and gives him the right to say what he want. Fine, you got freedom of speech, it's a beautiful thing. Don't trash the symbol that gave you the right to have that," said Michael Brosius, a veteran from Erie.

Locals react Friday to San Francisco's 49ers Quarterback, Colin Kapernick's way of protesting issues such as racial inequality and police brutality.

"You have to pay your respect when the national anthem is going on for the people who served this country and gave up their lives to protect the rights of the United States Veterans," said Justin Gallagher of Harborcreek.

"Well number one I'm a combat veteran, so I have a lot of friends of mine who died defending that flag, so he had the right to express his opinion the way he wants," said John Dean, a veteran from Erie.

"I don't agree with all that he's you know participating, but he's getting all the attention of the people about what he's protesting about," explained Lee Barney of Erie.

"For anybody out there that has issue, fine voice your issues, but voice them with respect," stressed Brosius.

"You gotta put your back behind it, and say okay maybe that flag isn't always right but it's our flag, so we gotta do whatever we can to make it right," said Dean.

Kaepernick has not said when he will end his protest. The 49ers will open the regular season, one week from this Monday at home against the Rams.