STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

49ers Dancer Kayla Morris Bravely Becomes First NFL Cheerleader To Kneel, And Twitter Is Here For It

"She is braver than the most muscled up men in a football uniform."

During a Thursday night football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders, one of the San Francisco cheerleaders took a knee during the national anthem, and the image quickly went viral.

The cheerleader, who has since been identified as Kayla Morris, was photographed kneeling before the game. Morris’ family confirmed her identity to KRON4 in the Bay Area.

Though Morris hasn’t posted anything to social media or done any interviews in which she explained her choice to kneel, the move seems to be directly connected to former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Although Morris has not made any social media posts about the protest, many assume Morris led in tribute to Colin Kaepernick, who first knelt in 2016 before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

While Kaepernick’s protest has been seen by other athletes in the NFL, college, and high school teams, no cheerleaders have been spotted kneeling.

Once Morris was identified, people on Twitter saluted her for having the bravery to engage in the protest against police brutality.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.