Actually Kaepernick started protesting police violence against blacks by sitting on the bench during the anthem.  People told him that was disrespectful so he did the knee pose.

Kaepernick has given a million to the cause and seems to have put his career in jeopardy standing up for what he believes in.  He has dignity and those trying to minimize him and the problem of racism I think are not coming off well. 

 Trump is just a knob - a president telling a private business how to treat their employees and calling them SOBs.  And I don't believe Trump that his attack isn't informed by racism.

It's all been communicated through the media so I don't get that part of your post.