Kaepernick: Rumors of conversion are false

USA TODAY SPORTS

by Josh Peter

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — 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.

(The statement “that his girlfriend, who is Muslim, led him to protest social injustices by refusing  to stand for the national anthem.” strikes me as a cop out.)

“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…