Hours after Pro Football Talk took note of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sitting during the national anthem before Fridays preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, the QB spoke out and explained it was a protest.

Heres what he told NFL.coms Steve Wyche:

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 Niners also issued a statement on Kaepernicks decision its also worth noting this wasnt the first time this preseason that hes sat:

The National Anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.

Kaepernick joins other big-name athletes including NBA stars like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade  whose cousin was shot and killed in Chicago on Friday  who have used their platforms to press for social change. The QB has used his Twitter feed to retweet stories and posts about issues of race and social injustice.

This is not something that I am going to run by anybody, Kaepernick added to Wyche. I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.

UPDATE: The NFL offered the following statement in response to Kaepernicks decision: 

Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem.