Monday Night Football shines spotlight on anthem protests

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick brought his controversial protest in the name of racial equality to a nationally televised Monday Night Football audience, kneeling on the field rather than standing as the national anthem played.

He was joined on the sidelines by 49ers safety Eric Reid, who knelt beside Kaepernick, while two other teammates, safety Antoine Bethea and linebacker Eli Harold, stood with fists raised during the performance of the "Star Spangled Banner."

While military personnel unfurled a giant American flag over the field, a number of fans shouted at Kaepernick, "Why don't you stand up?" according to an ESPN commentator reporting for the Disney-owned sports channel's broadcast.