Sep 20, 2016 07:44 AM EDT By Emily Marks, UniversityHerald Reporter

Howard University cheerleaders joined San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Seattle Reign FC's Megan Rapinoe and other athletes in protest. This comes after Kaepernick refused to stand during the U.S. national anthem during a game.

ESPN reported that the Howard University cheerleaders kneeled during the national anthem. This happened before Saturday's road game between the Bison and Rutgers.

Twitter user Zachary Johnson posted a photo of the cheering squad on their knees before the game. "Salute to the Howard University Cheerleaders for exercising their right to kneel during the national anthem," he wrote.

The Howard University cheerleaders joined Colin Kaepernick in protest after the 49ers quarterback refused to stand for the national anthem. According to SB Nation, he did it to shed light on the oppression of people of color as well as the ongoing issues with police brutality.

"I'm going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed," Kaepernick said. "To me, this is something that has to change. When there's significant change and I feel that flag represents what it's supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to, I'll stand."

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media. "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."

Since then, several athletes have joined the protest such as San Francisco safety Eric Reid, Seattle Seahawks' Jeremy Lane, Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall and Seattle Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe. Fox Sports reported that Rapinoe is continuing her participation in the protest as she knelt during the playing of the U.S. anthem on Thursday and Sunday, while her team played against the Netherlands.

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