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Shaquille O'Neal Comments on Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem Protest

Tyler Conway

Citing his father's military service and family members in law enforcement, Shaquille O'Neal said Wednesday he did not agree with the method of Colin Kaepernick's protest against racial inequality.

"I don't know Colin, but again, to each his own. I don't really have a say on it, but I would never do that," O'Neal told Fox & Friends (via Andre Vergara of Fox Sports). "My father was a military man, and you know, he protected this country. Uncles are in law enforcement, you know, they go out and work hard every day. Just, [there are] other ways to get your point across."

O'Neal, 44, has been making the media rounds as he prepares to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend. In between making 15 All-Star teams and winning four championships, O'Neal also made headlines for his work as a reserve police officer in Los Angeles and Miami Beach. In 2005, he was named an honorary U.S. deputy marshal.

Kaepernick has drawn strong criticism from members of law enforcement since his decision to sit during the national anthem.

Chief Michael J. Sellers of the Santa Clara Police Department issued a statement confirming many officers were angered by Kaepernick's actions and remarks and had threatened to stop working 49ers games if the team did not address the quarterback's behavior.    

The 28-year-old made national headlines when he spoke out against discrimination against people of color, specifically mentioning police violence. 

"There's a lot of things that need to change. One specifically? Police brutality. There's people being murdered unjustly and not being held accountable. People are being given paid leave for killing people. That's not right. That's not right by anyone's standards," he said, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.

Kaepernick has also had his fair share of supporters. Teammate Eric Reid and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane joined Kaepernick in protest during the final week of the preseason. United States women's national soccer team star Megan Rapinoe took a knee during the anthem before her National Women's Soccer League game as a sign of solidarity.

#VeteransForKaepernick was also a trending topic on Twitter, with many current and former military members expressing their support.

President Barack Obama said he supported the quarterback using his constitutional right to protest and lauded him for being part of the democratic process.

   

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.

   

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