Colin Kaepernick

The Smithsonian Museum of African American History has announced the addition of Colin Kaepernick’s artifacts to the Black Lives Matter exhibit. One of Kaepernick’s artifacts — a bench — is the butt of jokes on Twitter.com (pun intended).

The unemployed free agent quarterback is unofficially blacklisted by the NFL for his act of defiance during the pregame national anthem last year.

Kaepernick started off by sitting on a bench while his San Francisco 49ers teammates stood during the national anthem.

After furious public backlash — and a private meeting with his head coach — Kaepernick got off the bench and took a knee during the national anthem.

His actions — which many deemed to be self-serving — resulted in a loss of television viewers and advertising dollars.

Kaepernick waived a contract option from the 49ers at the end of the 2016 season. No other team has offered him a contract.

The Seattle Seahawks showed interest in Kaepernick as a second backup for Russell Wilson’s back up quarterback. But the team passed on him.

A few black players, including Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch, are also protesting the national anthem during the 2017 preseason.

Twitter.com reacted to the news that Kaepernick’s bench was among the items on display at the Smithsonian.

Many were dismayed that Kaepernick, who is biracial, was added to the Smithsonian Museum of African American History before Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who is black.
 










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