USA Today
"Colin Kaepernick knocked down
rumors that he has converted to Islam and that his girlfriend, who is Muslim,
led him to protest social injustices by refusing to stand for the national
anthem. He tweaked presidential candidate Donald Trump in the process.
“ 'I have great respect for the
religion, know a lot of people that are Muslim and are phenomenal people,’’
Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers' backup quarterback, said Wednesday. “But I
think that (rumor of conversion) comes along with people’s fear of this
protest, as well as Islamophobia in this country. People are terrified of them
to the point where Trump wants to ban all Muslims from coming here, which is
ridiculous.”
"Kaepernick also addressed reports
that he’s been heavily influenced by girlfriend Nessa Diab, a radio host.
“ 'The impact is just conversations
that we constantly have,’’ he said. “This is an open discussion that I have
with many people, not just my woman. She is Muslim, her family is Muslim, I
have great respect for them. I have great respect for people’s right to believe
what they want to believe. And I don’t think anybody should be prosecuted for
judged based on what their beliefs all.' ’’ . . .