San Francisco 49ers strong safety Eric Reid resumed his kneeling protest for human rights during the US national anthem on Sunday, after joining then-teammate Colin Kaepernick’s polarising demonstration last season.

Reid knelt while the Star Spangled Banner was played at Chicago Avenue in Minnesota, when the 49ers took on the Vikings in a pre-season friendly. Reed stood for the anthem during the team’s first two pre-season games. He initially said he’d stopped because of frustration last year about the way the protest was portrayed and perceived by some factions of the public.

The change of heart, Reid said after the 32-31 victory by the Vikings, came after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on August 12 resulted in the death of one counter-protester and injuries to many more.