SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick says he has been wearing socks depicting police officers as pigs in protest of "rogue cops" who put the community and other officers at risk.

Kaepernick issued a statement on Twitter on Thursday after photos began circulating on social media of him wearing the socks that show a pig dressed in a police hat. The photos were taken earlier in training camp before Kaepernick's refusal to stand during the national anthem as a form of protest became public.

"I wore these socks, in the past, because the rogue cops that are allowed to hold positions in police departments, not only put the community in danger, but also put the cops that have the right intentions in danger by creating an environment of tension and mistrust," he wrote. "I have two uncles and friends who are police officers and serve ALL people. So before these socks, which were worn before I took my public stance, are used to distract from the real issues, I wanted to address this immediately."

Kaepernick created a firestorm last weekend when his decision to sit during the national anthem in protest of what he called oppression of African Americans and other minorities became public.

Kaepernick has said he plans to sit for the anthem again Thursday night when the 49ers player their final exhibition game in San Diego.