More NFL Players Refuse to Stand for National Anthem on 9/11

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Sep 12, 2016

More NFL Players Refuse to Stand for National Anthem on 9/11

A number of NFL players followed the lead of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Sunday and knelt or raised a fist during the National Anthem.

Kaepernick made headlines last month during the NFL preseason when he knelt during the National Anthem in a sign of protest against racial inequality and oppression against “black people and people of color.”

ABC News reports that during the first major game day of the NFL on Sunday, which was also the fifteenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a number of players showed their solidarity with Kaepernick and protested during the National Anthem.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raised his fist, as did New England Patriots players Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty, and Tennessee Titans players Jurrell Casey, Wesley Woodyard, and Jason McCourty.

Raising a fist in protest is seen as a sign of black power since two African American 1968 Olympians made the salute during the National Anthem at their medal ceremony.

Other NFL players chose to kneel during the National Anthem, including four Miami Dolphins players.

In explanation of his gesture, Marcus Peters stated, "He [Kaepernick] spoke up about something he felt he needed to speak up about. I salute him for that. I'm going to back him up."

Kaepernick and the 49ers will face off against the Los Angeles Rams today (Monday). Kaepernick is expected to continue to protest. 

 

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

Publication date: September 12, 2016



More NFL Players Refuse to Stand for National Anthem on 9/11