A San Francisco 99ers cheerleader, who kneeled during the national anthem at a game earlier this month, protested again during the Veterans Day football game on Monday night by taking a knee.
The cheerleader, identified as 24-year-old Kayla Morris, reportedly kneeled for the second consecutive 49ers' game as San Francisco fell to the New York Giants 27-23.
Morris had followed the cue of some National Football League (NFL) players and took a knee during the national anthem for the first time on November 1, after players during the game were banned from protesting on the field.
She had stirred up controversy by kneeling ahead of their home game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium. The rare moment of the on-field protest by the cheerleader was captured on camera by a Raiders fan Lenny Herold. Morris is believed to be the first cheerleader to have taken a knee during the national anthem.
San Francisco 49ers cheerleader kneels for national anthem before Monday Night Football game. bit.ly/2JXbK2R
NFL players began taking a knee during the national anthem two years ago in an effort to protest police brutality and rampant racism in the country.
The unique protest was started by football quarterback Colin Kaepernick when he was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 and stirred a nation-wide controversy. Other players took his cue and joined the protest in the 2016 season, and a few players have continued the protest till now.
Kaepernick, during a post-game interview, said: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder. " The quarterback has not played in the NFL since 2016 and is reportedly fighting a collusion case against the football league from blocking him out of the games.
More than 200 players sat or knelt during the national anthem on September 24, 2017 in response to President Donald Trump who slammed the players' actions and called on the owners of their teams to "fire" the players who protested.
This is Kayla. She’s a San Francisco 49ers cheerleader. She kneeled during National Anthem ceremonies. Multiple cheerleaders have sued NFL teams over harsh treatment and meager benefits. She’s put her career at risk for something bigger than herself. kron4.com/sports/nfl/49e…
Although they are many who have supported the cheerleader's peaceful protest, there are others who have called the act disrespectful considering it came just a day after Veterans Day, according to the Daily Mail.
Reports state that the team coaches and staff at the game were wearing green gear instead of their original team colors to honor the men and women in service.
Morris' former teammate, Kayla Rossell, while talking to the Daily Mail, after her first protest had said: "I think it’s an extremely brave and courageous thing to do... and I think it’s been met with love and respect from both the Gold Rush director as well as the team itself, just based on my past experiences there. If I were still cheering, I would support her 100% and am proud to call her a former teammate. I hope and pray the fans give her a similar level of love and support."