NFL quarterback denies rumours of converting to Islam

The 49ers quarterback said the rumours were rooted Islamophobia

Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback who protested America’s treatment of minorities by not rising during the national anthem at the games, dismissed rumours of having converted to Islam.



“I have great respect for the religion, know a lot of people that are Muslim and are phenomenal people,’’ Kaepernick said. “But I think that [rumour about conversion] comes along with people’s fear of this protest, as well as Islamophobia in this country. People are terrified of them to the point where Trump wants to ban all Muslims from coming here, which is ridiculous.”



Theories on the American football player converting to Islam circulated on social media with many seeing his Muslim girlfriend Nessa Diab as an influence. She had allegedly convinced him to take the stand about racial injustices such as police violence. However, Kaepernick denied the claims saying that they were rooted in Islamophobia. The backup quarterback also mentioned Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, according to USA Today.



Colin Kaepernick jerseys became the top-selling jersey on the National Football League's official online store on Tuesday, after he protested racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. Kaepernick, a San Francisco 49ers quarterback, declined to rise during the playing of the national anthem ahead of a pre-season game on August 26 and a game last week, prompting both outrage and support from NFL players and fans across the country.

This article originally appeared on Time.