The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has sent the US into a frenzy, after refusing to stand during the national anthem on Friday night.

Before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, NFL player Colin Kaepernick remained seated during the Star-Spangled Banner to protest the oppression of black, and other minorities in the US.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in a post-game interview.

“To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.

“There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder,” he added.

But much like the reaction to Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas’s hand-on-heart mishap at the Rio Games, the dark recesses of social media denounced it as unpatriotic.

And it wasn’t pretty.

https://twitter.com/FalconsFury_YT/status/769640122199400448

Colin Kaepernick is an unpatriotic jerk!! Dissing a country that allows him to earn millions of $ ain't cool!!

— Changle (@TaxExpress1) August 27, 2016

If the @49ers don't cut #ColinKaepernick for that unpatriotic stunt then I hope they lose every game this season. By 40

— Matthew Dotson (@matthewdotson30) August 27, 2016

Colin Kaepernick says he'll continue to sit during the National Anthem. And by that he means from his couch after the 49ers cut him.

— Fake SportsCenter (@FakeSportsCentr) August 29, 2016

The raw emotion and extreme patriotism of the US saw people go as far as burning Kaepernick’s jersey in disgust at his anthem protest.

49ers fan responds to Colin Kaepernick by burning his jersey to the National Anthem #49ers #ColinKaepernick pic.twitter.com/b6XlQ5K17y

— Fanatics View (@fanaticsview) August 28, 2016

49ers fans burn Colin Kaepernick jerseys for not standing during the National Anthem #49ers #ColinKaepernick pic.twitter.com/27tEkG3xrz

— Fanatics View (@fanaticsview) August 28, 2016

NFL players also torched Kaepernick, 28, for his refusal to stand.

https://twitter.com/Hasselbeck/status/769519704008429568

I will be STANDING during the National Anthem tonight. Thank you to ALL (Gender,Race,Religion)that put your lives on the line for that flag

— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) August 27, 2016

And while “Crabby Gabby” was forced to apologise, the star quarterback said he wasn’t concerned by the potential backlash to his decision.

“This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” he said.

“I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed.

“If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.”

And while the criticism of the QB has been rash, he has received plenty of support for his stand against racial profiling and police misconduct towards African Americans.

Adrian Foster, a running back with the Miami Dolphins, agreed with Kaepernick’s choice.

“I understand 100 per cent what he’s doing. He’s frustrated, just like me. He’s just like my brother. He’s just like my cousins out there. He’s frustrated. It’s hard seeing people get murdered and killed without repercussions,” he told the Miami Herald.

“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honour our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens,” the club said.

“In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognise the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”

“I understand 100 percent what he’s doing. He’s frustrated, just like me. He’s just like my brother. He’s just like my cousins out there. He’s frustrated. It’s hard seeing people get murdered and killed without repercussions.”

The spotlight will be on Kaepernick and San Francisco when it plays the Los Angeles Rams in the season opener on September 12.