San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has certainly set off a firestorm of criticism over the last six days, ever since he told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche that he did not stand during the playing of the National Anthem last week as a silent protest to the way African-Americans and other people of color are treated in this country.

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In a question-and-answer session with reporters on Sunday, Kaepernick further explained his stance, highlighting his respect for military personnel while saying that he will continue to sit in recognition of those that are oppressed. It was clear that Kaepernick was passionate and had put a lot of thought into his actions and the repercussions he would face.

But is Kaepernick adding kerosene to the fire, and simultaneously sending his message up in smoke by wearing the socks in the image above?

Kaepernick apparently wore these socks back on Aug. 10. The pig wearing a policeman’s hat will be seen as a negative and disrespectful message to law-enforcement officers. It’s not clear if he’s worn them since.

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Over the last few days, Kaepernick’s message, that racial inequalities still exist and work needs to be done, got lost in all of the debate and vitriol over how he decided to protest. But even those who are willing to listen to Kaepernick will tune out if he’s going to take cheap shots instead of continuing to try to foster constructive conversations.

UPDATE: Kaepernick posted a statement about the socks on his Instagram page:

Regardless of the timing of when he wore the socks, coming a couple of weeks before his Anthem protest and interviews, it’s unlikely to go over well with Kaepernick’s many detractors.