Colin Kaepernick Cancels Church Appearance, Blames 'Rigors of Training'
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was scheduled to speak to the predominantly black congregation of San Francisco's Third Baptist Church at Sunday's service.
About halfway through the service Rev. Amos Brown announced that the Niners quarterback would not be coming. Kaepernick blamed the "rigors of training" and promised to come on another date.
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A number of well-known members of the African-American community -- including former S.F. mayor Willie Brown and Oakland civil rights attorney John Burris -- were in attendance.
Among the packed congregation were students from San Francisco's Mission High School.
"I feel kind've mad 'cause I also brought my little brother -- and he was so excited. He almost cried 'cause he really liked him," one student told KCBS reporter Jeffrey Schaub.
"I was pretty sad about him not coming but if he can't make it then another time is just fine," another student said.
Rev. Brown told parishioners that Kaepernick was standing up for African-Americans while sitting down during the national anthem at preseason games and that he was sending a message about racial discrimination to all of America.
On Saturday the 49ers announced that Kaepernick will be backup quarterback to Blaine Gabbert.