I posted on another board that I respect and understand Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the anthem. Wouldn't be my choice but it doesn't have to be. Plenty of veterans have said the same thing and don't take it as a sleight on their service or the country. On the contrary, he is exercising a fundamental right for which they sacrificed and fought.
I also have said I admire when people do hard or unpopular things for something in which they believe. And no doubt, by the same token, this young man did precisely that. At his age especially, it is exceedingly hard to go against your entire team based on your beliefs. Peer pressure is at its height, and he walked alone and took a stand (no pun intended) for something he apparently deeply believes in. For that alone he deserves respect and admiration.