FILE - This is a Thursday, June 24, 2004 file photo of England's Wayne Rooney as he reacts shortly before he left the field injured during the Euro 2004 quarter final soccer match between England and Portugal at the Luz stadium in Lisbon. England striker Wayne Rooney announced his immediate retirement from international football on Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Adam Butler/File)
FILE - This is a Thursday, June 24, 2004 file photo of England's Wayne Rooney as he reacts shortly before he left the field injured during the Euro 2004 quarter final soccer match between England and Portugal at the Luz stadium in Lisbon. England striker Wayne Rooney announced his immediate retirement from international football on Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Adam Butler/File) Credit: ap file — Adam Butler

New York — Supporters of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who refused to stand for the national anthem to protest police brutality against blacks, showed their solidarity with him and his cause at a rally outside National Football League headquarters on Wednesday, demanding that he be signed by the start of the regular season next month.

More than 1,000 people, many wearing jerseys bearing Kaepernick’s name, crowded the steps outside the NFL’s midtown Manhattan offices.

Kaepernick, who once took the 49ers to the Super Bowl, opted out of his contract with the team in March and remains unsigned. Supporters say he is being blackballed for his advocacy, but some critics say he should not have sat or kneeled during the anthem or contend his lack of a job is more about his on-field talent.

Chants at the demonstration included “Boycott! Boycott!”

Women’s March organizer Tamika Mallory, addressing football fans, said, “I don’t care how long you’ve been watching football, if they don’t stand up for your children, turn the damn TV off.”

Earlier Wednesday, the NAACP called for a meeting with the NFL to discuss the fate of Kaepernick, who was born to a white woman and a black man but was adopted by a white couple. The civil rights organization’s interim president, Derrick Johnson, said in a letter to the NFL’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, that it’s apparently “no sheer coincidence” that Kaepernick isn’t on a roster.

Soccer

Rooney Retires From England

London — England record scorer Wayne Rooney retired from international soccer on Wednesday after spurning an offer to return to the squad.

“I believe now is the time to bow out,” the former England captain said in a statement. “I will always remain a passionate England fan.”

A return to form since leaving Manchester United to go back to Everton in the offseason had seen England coach Gareth Southgate approach Rooney about returning for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. But the 31-year-old striker has decided to focus on his club career, quitting England duty with a record 53 goals in 119 appearances — more than any other outfield player.

Auto Racing

Bourdais Nearing Return

Indianapolis — Sebastien Bourdais will return to IndyCar competition this weekend after a three-month recovery from an accident at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Frenchman fractured his pelvis and right hip during a crash while qualifying for the Indianapolis 500.

Bourdais’ rapid recovery gives him his seat back for the final three races of the season, starting Saturday night at Gateway Motorsports Park. He had actually been cleared to race earlier this month, but Dale Coyne Racing allowed replacement driver Esteban Gutierrez to drive last weekend at Pocono Raceway.

Bourdais is a four-time series champion and won the season-opening race this year at St. Petersburg, Fla.