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Fan Throws Beer Bottle at Colin Kaepernick at 49ers vs Bills

By Cody Williams

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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A fan in Buffalo reportedly threw a beer bottle out of the stands at San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on the sidelines.

With Colin Kaepernick making his first start of the 2016 NFL season for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Week 6, there was always going to be a bit of controversy. Kaepernick has been at the center of controversy all season for his national anthem protests. As the Niners traveled east to take on the Buffalo Bills, though, at least one fan took things entirely too far.

As Kaepernick was standing on the sidelines with the 49ers defense on the field, a fan reportedly threw a beer bottle out of the stands at Kaepernick. There’s no word about whether or not the bottle connected with the quarterback—but that’s hardly the point regarding this matter:

Whether or not you agree with Kaepernick’s views and protests or not, this is entirely unacceptable behavior from fans. Even for a crowd known to get a bit rowdy like the home fans in Buffalo, this is too far.

It’s great that the fan was escorted out of the stadium, but there should legitimately be some sort of legal charge for this as well. Throwing beer bottles at another human being is not legal in any capacity, but especially as part of fan-pro athlete interactions during a game.

As far as we know, there was no reaction from Kaepernick to the incident. That’s essentially par for the course as he’s handled this whole season relatively quietly. Even if that’s the case, fans need to wise up and not allow this type of thing to even come close to happening.