NFL: Former player Rodney Harrison calls protesting Colin Kaepernick's race in to question

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Photo / Getty Images

Former NFL player and two-time Super Bowl champion Rodney Harrison has said that protesting San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's "heart is in the right place" but he doesn't think Kaepernick fully understands the situation because he's "not black."

During a radio appearance, Rodney Harrison stated "I tell you this, I'm a black man. And Colin Kaepernick-he's not black".

"He can not understand what I face and what other young black men and black people face, or people of color face, on a every single (day) basis."

"When you walk in a grocery store, and you might have $2,000 or $3,000 in your pocket and you go up in to a Foot Locker and they're looking at you like you about to steal something."

"You know, I don't think he faces those type of things that we face on a daily basis."

Harrison was criticised for his opinion on the matter, and later apologised via Twitter.

I apologize to anyone that I offended , wasn't meant to be hurtful to anyone. God bless

— Rodney Harrison (@Rodney_Harrison) August 30, 2016

I should not have called Colin Kaepernick’s race into question during this morning’s radio interview. It was a mistake and I apologize.

— Rodney Harrison (@Rodney_Harrison) August 30, 2016

Last point I want people to know. I never even knew he was mixed.

— Rodney Harrison (@Rodney_Harrison) August 30, 2016

Born to a black father and white mother then adopted by white parents, Kaepernick has remained seated during the playing of the national anthem during all three of the San Francisco 49ers preseason games thus far.

The stand has sparked conversation worldwide, drawing the ire of colleagues along with American presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Kaepernick's stand is an attempt to instigate change and challenge authority when it comes to race relations and what he considers police brutality in America.

NFL Media's Steve Whyche quoted Kaepernick as saying "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color".