SAN JOSE — Jacob Malae was a star defensive lineman for the Bellarmine College Prep football program a quarter century ago, his passion for the San Jose Jesuit school unquestioned. Now a junior varsity assistant at his alma mater and in law enforcement in the Bay Area, Malae dreamed of one day leading the storied program.

Related Articles Anthem protest: Bellarmine players take knee before Friday’s game

Anthem protest: Reactions are divided after Bellarmine athletes take a knee

Kaepernick files grievance against NFL, alleging collusion

49ers players’ anthem protest continues in D.C., albeit dwindled But he can no longer support the school’s administration.

When a small group of varsity players took a knee during the national anthem at a recent football game, calling it a silent protest against social injustice and for the marginalized, Malae did not stand quietly. For more Bay Area high school sports coverage follow Bay Area Preps on Flipboard.

He wrote a long resignation letter and submitted it to Bellarmine president Chris Meyercord, noting that he would continue as a junior varsity coach for the remainder of the season but would no longer assist the varsity team, which JV coaches commonly do.

Malae’s decision is a small piece to an ongoing national debate that returned to the headlines this weekend when former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, claiming that collusion by the owners as a result of his protests is the reason he remains an unsigned free agent.

But the coach’s stance is an example of how divisive the issue is, no matter the side. The Bellarmine protest last month, before the team’s 48-0 loss to Serra at San Jose City College, struck a deep nerve inside and outside the school’s community that has not cooled in the two weeks since.

Reached by the Bay Area News Group, Malae said that his job precluded him from giving a formal interview on the topic. But this publication obtained a copy of Malae’s resignation letter, which called for Meyercord to consider resigning and cited examples of two football team rules that prohibit players from putting themselves above the team. Have a comment about this? Join the conversation from San Jose, the Bay Area and beyond at our Facebook page.

The letter stresses that Bellarmine coaches constantly emphasize the program’s core values of doing things as a unit, not in fragments, and that the protest by a portion of the team at the all-boys school violated that decree.

“The act of kneeling during the National Anthem doesn’t create dialogue, it creates division,” Malae wrote. “People are talking about the what, not the why. And that is unfortunate and shameful. It is unfortunate because the seemingly well intended act of a few is causing undue harm to the whole.

“It is shameful because BCP not only knew (or should have known) this was going to happen, but didn’t do anything to stop it. As adults in this equation, it is our fundamental duty to act when we know, or eventually realize, that irreparable harm is being done.”

Meyercord did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But in an interview the night of the protest, he said, “Their intent was really to draw attention to people they feel are marginalized, people of color, immigrants in all different kinds of communities that they feel are not getting enough support, enough attention. Reading this on your phone? Stay up to date with our free mobile app. Get it from the Apple app store or the Google Play store.

“They wanted to bring a great understanding to that. That was really what their intention was. They have been thinking about it for a while, working with the school, talking to coaches, talking to teammates. They tried to be really clear about what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. Their hearts are in the right place.”

Bellarmine coach Mike Janda declined to comment Monday, referring questions to Meyercord. Malae played for Janda at Bellarmine and was the Mercury News’ player of the year in 1991. He went on to play for the University of Hawaii and San Jose State.

On the night of their protest, the players, about a dozen in all, issued a statement to the school community, explaining their decision to take a knee.

“As students of a Jesuit institution, we are taught to be men for and with others and to seek justice and truth,” the players wrote. “In light of our summit on understanding race in the 21st century, along with our personal experiences with discrimination both at Bellarmine and in our broader community, we feel compelled to raise awareness for the marginalized. Want to see editorial cartoons on the topic?

Follow us on Flipboard.

“By kneeling, we hope to express our dissatisfaction with our society’s failure to uphold the values of justice, equality, and peace, and start constructive dialogue in our community. In addition, we kneel to show our support for our country’s marginalized groups: minorities, women, immigrants, those who have experienced religious persecution, and members of the LGBTQ community.

“We would like to clarify that we unequivocally appreciate and value the sacrifices of law enforcement officers, yet we feel the need to express our displeasure with the continued failure of some members of law enforcement and our justice system to protect the marginalized.”

Malae, in his letter, suggested that the Bellarmine administration should have redirected the players to raise their concerns in another forum.

“Challenge these young men to be stewards of the best of Jesuit schools — seek truth, be intolerant of injustice, but do so in a way everyone wins — the communities and groups that they referenced in their letter, the current student body, alumni and the institution,” he wrote.

Malae added that he and his family would no longer attend Bellarmine varsity games.

“I struggled mightily with this decision, but I know it is the right decision for me,” he wrote. “I love Bellarmine, Bellarmine football, our players, and the men that I coach with too much to stand idly by and this go unabated. As a coach, all I’ve ever wanted to do was to coach at Bellarmine. I hoped to someday lead the program. But I don’t kneel for the National Anthem, and neither should our varsity players.”