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Last month, Colin Kaepernick began protesting social injustices in this country by taking a knee during the national anthem. He continues to protest, and has been joined by other NFL players, and athletes -- both professional and amateur -- in other sports. It has become a divisive topic nationally, especially in light of recent shootings of African-American men by police officers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

TIME magazine will feature the 49ers' backup quarterback on its cover with the headline, "The Perilous Fight: National anthem protests led by Colin Kaepernick are fueling a debate about privilege, pride, and patriotism."

On Thursday, 49ers coach Chip Kelly was asked about Kaepernick's story making national headlines.

"I think it's an issue," Kelly said of the recent shootings, via the San Francisco Chronicle. "You look at what's gone on in Tulsa and in Charlotte the last two nights, it's an issue that's at the forefront of our country. And it needs to be addressed and be taken care of because what's going on is not right. So I think, again, [Kaepernick's] shedding light on a situation that is heinous. And shouldn't happen in this country. We all have inalienable rights as a citizen and this country and they're being violated. And I think that's what Colin is standing up for."

Meanwhile, one reporter at Thursday's press conference tried to condemn Kaepernick's actions to Kelly, but the coach was having none of it.

The bottom line: Kelly's correct -- it's Kapernick's right as an American to peacefully protest, though plenty of people disagree with how he has chosen to do so (see, for example, the aforementioned reporter). According to one poll, he's now the most disliked player in the league -- though he has the NFL's top-selling jersey. That said, another poll found that while Kaepernick has an 80 percent approval rating for his right to protest, 47 percent disagree with the decision to kneel.