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San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 Moments from the Otherwise Forgettable 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) pumps his fist as he acknowledges the cheers from the 49ers' fans after leading his team to a 22-21 come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) pumps his fist as he acknowledges the cheers from the 49ers' fans after leading his team to a 22-21 come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58), quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and free safety Eric Reid (35) kneel in protest during the playing of the national anthem before a NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58), quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and free safety Eric Reid (35) kneel in protest during the playing of the national anthem before a NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: QB Colin Kaepernick and the National Anthem Protest

If there’s one single reason the 49ers remain relevant in the national spotlight, it falls on quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his decision to kneel during the national anthem.

By now, we know what Kaepernick is protesting. And it’s an issue that needs to be at the forefront of the national discussion.

Many took exception to Kap’s actions. It’s not a surprise to see others feeling the quarterback’s means of protest crossed the line. And, according to Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman, Kaepernick’s actions certainly didn’t earn him any supporters on the NFL executive level.

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Kap didn’t seem to care much about what people perceived about him. Maybe that’s the point. And whether you agree or not with his stance is up to you.

Still, the protest sparked a nationwide — and international — discussion. It traveled through the NFL and beyond, even garnering comments from President Barack Obama.

Who knows if and how Kaepernick’s actions will continue. And who knows if they’ll remain as relevant in 2017.

Next: An Autopsy of the 49ers 2016 Season

Regardless, the protests were certainly at the forefront of almost all 49ers discussion over the course of this year.