NTD TelevisionNTD Television
Programs

Anthem Protests Continue in Week 13 After NFL Agreement

The Associated Press
By The Associated Press
December 4, 2017Sports News
share
Anthem Protests Continue in Week 13 After NFL Agreement
Cody Kessler #6 of the Cleveland Browns kneels and prays prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 3, 2017 in Carson, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Seven Seattle Seahawks players sat or knelt for the national anthem before Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.

Their actions raised the total to 18 players around the NFL making some sort of statement during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

In Seattle, it was primarily a group of defensive linemen that has sat in most of the games this season. The group included defensive linemen Michael Bennett, Sheldon Richardson, Frank Clark, Quinton Jefferson, Marcus Smith and Branden Jackson, and offensive lineman Duane Brown. The defensive players sat on the bench while Brown knelt.

NTD Photo
Members of the Seattle Seahawks sit on the bench during the national anthem before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at CenturyLink Field on December 3, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

 

NTD Photo
Members of the Seattle Seahawks sit on the bench during the national anthem, including Frank Clark #55, Jarran Reed #90, Michael Bennett #72 and Cliff Avril #56, before the game against the Houston Texans at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

 

Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch sat and Giants defensive lineman Olivier Vernon knelt for the national anthem before their teams’ game.

Both Lynch and Vernon have consistently made those gestures this season.

Earlier, safety Eric Reid was among three San Francisco 49ers players who knelt during the national anthem before facing the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Reid recently left a group of players negotiating with the NFL about the protests, saying that Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins excluded Colin Kaepernick from meetings and asked about the possibility of ending demonstrations if the league made charitable donations.

On Sunday, Reid, receiver Marquise Goodwin and nose tackle Earl Mitchell each took a knee during the national anthem in Chicago, while everyone on the Bears’ sideline stood.

At the Browns-Chargers game, Los Angeles left tackle Russell Okung raised his right fist during the national anthem, as usual.

NTD Photo
Outside linebacker Robert Quinn #94 of the Los Angeles Rams raises his fist while standing with punter Johnny Hekker #6 during the National Anthem before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)

In Miami, a trio of Dolphins players knelt, as usual: Julius Thomas, Kenny Stills and Michael Thomas.

In Baltimore, Ravens rookie linebacker Tyus Bowser knelt in end zone for first few verses of anthem, then moved to the sideline and stood at attention for the rest, as he has done before.

The one Titans player who has been protesting by staying off the field, receiver Rishard Matthews, was inactive Sunday. He came onto the field after the anthem ended.

After the anthem ended, a trio of Titans players raised their fists overhead: Brian Orakpo, Jurrell Casey and Wesley Woodyard.

Most of the players who protested Sunday had done so before and continued the same gestures.

The NFL is committing $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a three-segment plan that involves league players. The NFL Foundation is putting a $3 million grant into the program.

PreviousNext