Colin Kaepernick will start at quarterback for the 49ers on Sunday against the Bills, the team announced.
Kaepernick has not played all season. The 49ers went 1–4 with Blaine Gabbert as the team’s starting quarterback. After speculation the team would make a change, head coach Chip Kelly decided to roll with the controversial quarterback going forward.
Despite not playing, Kaepernick has been in the spotlight for refusing to stand during the national anthem to raise awareness about racial injustice and police brutality in America. Players throughout the league and across sports have joined Kaepernick’s demonstration by taking a knee, locking arms or raising their fists during the national anthem.
Kaepernick took over as 49ers starting quarterback in 2012, quarterbacking the team to the Super Bowl, and started in all 16 games in 2013 and 2014. He has thrown for 10,030 yards and 56 touchdowns in his 58 games for San Francisco.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- What Student Photojournalists Saw at the Campus Protests
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Why Maternity Care Is Underpaid
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Scientists Are Finding Out Just How Toxic Your Stuff Is
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com