San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is preparing to appeal against a fine of $11,000 imposed on him by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct after he was judged to have used inappropriate language on the field of play.

The incident occurred last week during a scuffle with Chicago Bears player LaMarr Huston.

 According to referee Carl Cheffers, who officiated the game on Sept. 17., Kaepernick is believed to have used the "N-word" on the Bear's defender.  

But the player, who signed a $126 million six year contract extension with the 49ers in June, denies making any inappropriate remarks.

Although he refused to reiterate what he heard Kaepernick say, side-referee Laird Hayes, the official who penalized the player, has said he trusts the validity of his decision.

LaMarr Huston, the supposed victim of the racial slur, is reported to have said that he heard nothing offensive from the opposing quarterback. His statement has reportedly increased Kaepernick optimism about the outcome of his appeal against the fine.

Kaepernick  is quoted saying "I didn't say anything. Lamarr Houston said I didn't say anything. We're going to leave it at that."

The 49ers went on to lose the game 28-20 to the Bears, although they started off as the better team. After the game, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that he stood by his player's word, describing the quarterback as truthful.  

"Colin says he didn't say anything, this person says what they say and somebody else heard something else," he said.

According to Mercury News, the KPIX-TV video which captured both players after the incident  "appears to show that Kaepernick said something, although no audio could be heard."

The NFL has been in the news lately for domestic violence and abuse cases involving players. The league's competition committee is reported to be seriously deliberating on the policy of punishing a player 15 yards for using inappropriate language on the field.