A cheerleader with the San Francisco 49ers took a knee during the national anthem Thursday night in the 49ers game against the Oakland Raiders.

>> Read more trending news

The cheerleader was captured in several photos posted to social media while her teammates remained in formation during the anthem.

The NFL passed a new rule in May that banned players from sitting or taking a knee during the anthem but allowed players to stay in the locker room if they wanted. Then last month, the NFL and the National Football League Players Association agreed to halt enforcement of the rule while the two sides worked on a resolution, which isn't expected to happen this season.

In 2016, former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first pro athlete to take a knee during the national anthem at NFL games in protest over police brutality and racial and social injustice.

He was not re-signed after the season ended and hasn’t played pro football since, but his actions sparked a movement that involved dozens of athletes and cheerleaders across the nation in the years following.

What You Need to Know: Colin Kaepernick

About the Author

Keep Reading

The skyline of downtown Atlanta is visible from Centennial Olympic Park, which is about a 10-minute walk from the FIFA Club World Cup games happening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Christine Tannous/AJC 2021)

Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Featured

Apartment complex community members look at the stuffed animals, snacks and drinks that rest at the base of a basketball goal with balloons in memoriam of Ja’Nylen Greggs in Atlanta on Friday, June 20, 2025. The apartment complex community is mourning 12-year-old Greggs after he was killed in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting. (Abbey Cutrer / AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com