San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick may be more concerned about the welfare of the Islamic State than his country, according to a Republican congressman.
“This is activism that is sympathetic to ISIS,” Rep. Steve King told Newsmax host Steve Malzberg on Tuesday. “I think Colin Kaepernick is representing the San Francisco 49ers when he puts on that uniform. When he steps out on the stage, the world stage, he’s taking advantage of that and he’s undermining patriotism.”
Kaepernick has refused to stand during the national anthem before games, and said he’s doing it to call attention to police violence against blacks.
But the Iowa lawmaker suggested that Kaepernick’s girlfriend, MTV personality Nessa Diab, was the reason for his sudden concern for civil rights.
“I understand that he has an, umm, Islamic girlfriend that is his fiance and that this has changed him and has taken on some different political views along the way,” King explained.
The NFL athlete has denied any recent conversion to Islam, but said he has “great love” for the religion.
