Colin Kaepernick's Biological Mother Steps Into National Anthem Fray With a Pointed Message for the Quarterback

The biological mother of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick criticized his controversial refusal to stand for the National Anthem last Friday.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick holds the football during warmups before a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

"There's ways to make change w/o disrespecting & bringing shame to the very country & family who afforded you so many blessings," tweeted Heidi Russo, who gave up Kaepernick for adoption when he was an infant.

@Kaepernick7 There's ways to make change w/o disrespecting & bringing shame to the very country & family who afforded you so many blessings.

— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 27, 2016

Russo's Twitter bio reads: "Wife, mom to Michael, Ethan & Alex, Birthmom of Colin, Co-Founder of Linked Thru Love, advocate for changing stigmas & stereotypes for birthmothers & adoption."

She added this message to Kaepernick: "The path less traveled doesn't need to be one of destruction."

@Kaepernick7 The path less traveled doesn't need to be one of destruction. #beenthere #besmarter #berespectful

— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 27, 2016

According to a 2013 ESPN article, Russo was "19, unmarried and nearly broke when she gave him up. She cared for him for five weeks while she looked for an adopting couple who were (A) set for money, (B) had other kids and (C) loved sports. Heidi stands 6-foot-2, and the birth father, now absent, was also 6-2."

ESPN added that Kaepernick had no interest in meeting Russo, and writer Rick Reilly wondered if that sentiment was out of respect for his adoptive parents.

"No," Kaepernick said. "It's not really a respect thing. It's just — that's my family. That's it."

More from ESPN:

Colin Kaepernick turned out to be an iron-willed, headstrong athletic tornado. He was so good at every sport that his family called him "Bo," after Bo Jackson. Still do. As he grew, the new mother would send the old one letters and pictures, until Russo finally asked her to stop. They were too painful.

"I couldn't move forward with my life," she recently told Denver TV station KDVR. (Russo did not return my phone calls.)

The nature of their relationship today, if any, is unclear.

Many reactions to Russo's tweets were hostile:

@Heidirn1 Have a seat. You literally have no horse in this race.

He's a grown ass man who made a choice to stand up where you did not.

— The Block Panther (@DeleMage) August 30, 2016

@Heidirn1 @Kaepernick7 It seem that he doesn't want anything to do with you. So why keep sending him messages

— Robbin (@Erricka88) August 28, 2016

.@Heidirn1 SERIOUSLY? Publicly scolding/shaming the adult son you didn't raise?!? You have some bloody gall, lady. #adoption #adoptees

— Renee Lynne (@MizPotatohead) August 30, 2016

@Heidirn1 @Kaepernick7 you gave up your right to "mother" when you gave him up. I can see he was better off without you!

— Corey B. King (@coreybking) August 28, 2016

Russo took issue with some of the blowback:

@DrTMG Never said standing up for injustice is wrong. Clearly there's a problem. Don't twist what I said to make a racial point.

— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 28, 2016

@Erricka88 PLACING my son for adoption is NOT giving up. It's giving him the life he deserved & love beyond comprehension. Congrats 2ur son.

— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 28, 2016

Others praised Russo for her choice to put Kaepernick up for adoption rather than terminating her pregnancy:

@Heidirn1 @Erricka88 Kudos! U didnt abort him Ugave him life he went on 2do something great U should be proud others have chips on shoulders

— D (@IBelieveNGood) August 30, 2016

Its ironic that @Heidirn1 is being criticized 4stating opinion on her son from same people that support #kaepernick 4 expressing his opinion

— A Nameless Troll (@pghjoker) August 30, 2016

@Heidirn1 U have a beautiful heart, R a wonderfully strong woman. Understanding the bigger picture while not compromising ur own. Carry on!

— J'etoile (@OneMinPsychic) August 30, 2016

@Heidirn1 as the adoptive father of 2 biracial boys,I saw first hand the struggle of letting go.I thank God for women like u.I get 2b a dad!

— Scott Storey (@sstorey200) August 30, 2016

(H/T: Young Conservatives)