Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner says the whole team might join in Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest before Sundays game against the Miami Dolphins. File photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo

Colin Kaepernick and the Seattle Seahawks are division rivals, but the San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback might have found allies in his ongoing attempt to increase awareness by kneeling during the national anthem.

Kaepernick said after not standing for the national anthem: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."


The following week at San Diego, a game Kaepernick started on Military Appreciate Night at Qualcomm Stadium, Kaepernick took a knee during the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner."

Kaepernick is not alone in the sports world.

Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane and United States Women's National Team soccer player Megan Rapinoe also knelt during the anthem recently and said they did so in support of Kaepernick's message.

The group could expand greatly this week.

Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner hinted the team could join Lane before the Week 1 game in Seattle on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Wide receiver Doug Baldwin also said he was planning to support Lane.

"Whatever we decide to do will be a surprise," Wagner said.

"Anything we want to do, it's not going to be individual. It's going to be a team thing. That's what the world needs to see. The world needs to see people coming together versus being individuals."

Outspoken Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, who called for the NFL's most visible players such as Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers to be more outspoken, said Lane and Kaepernick aren't wrong.

"I think there are definitely some issues in America that a lot of people are starting to recognize," Bennett said. "I think people have recognized them before but I think with social media and the things that are going on out there, the media outlets, everybody has a chance to really show what is going on and their ideas and having a chance to really protest what they think is wrong with America and that's OK, that's what it's about. It's about people having that right to have their voice and I think it's cool that Jeremy Lane is doing what he wants to do."