San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick continued his protest of refusing to stand for the American national ahead of his team's final pre-season friendly against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night.

The 28-year-old has not stood for the national anthem in any of the pre-season games ahead of the NFL season beginning next week. After last week's game against the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick stated that he did not want to "show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour".

Kaepernick has been in the middle of a media storm in the past week, with many players criticising his move as disrespectful toward America's military servicemen and servicewomen. Despite the open lack of support, he was joined in San Diego by team-mate Eric Reid in taking a knee.

Thursday night's game coincided with the Chargers' already pre-planned military appreciation night, as anger in sections of the crowd focused on the 49ers quarterback.

Despite not standing for the anthem, Kaepernick openly applauded the military members in attendance, when the song "God Bless the USA" was played before the game.

The quarterback started his first pre-season game of the season, as the 49ers won the game 31-21.