Scores of NFL players have knelt during the American national anthem in a peaceful protest against police brutality and racial injustice, days after US President Donald Trump said players who refuse to stand for the anthem should be fired or suspended.
Over 100 players took the knee over the weekend, mirroring the protest of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who first knelt during the national anthem in September last year.
Members of the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars knelt before the weekend’s first game, an exhibition match in London. Players also locked arms in solidarity.
NBCNews: WATCH: Some NFL players kneel, lock arms during Jaguars-Ravens game in London https://t.co/qwNofP5X6o
— The Believer ™ (@maxvaldes) September 24, 2017
Similar scenes played out stateside. Players for the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, and Detroit Lions also knelt.
Several #Browns players lock arms, kneel for anthem pic.twitter.com/PhFBLDnm0d
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 24, 2017
At least 16 New England Patriots #TakeAKnee #TakeTheKnee #TakeAKneeNFL pic.twitter.com/rUvgkWFXU0
— C West (@CWest3118) September 24, 2017
Love. Unity. Equality. #GoBills pic.twitter.com/tvlIqSc4tP
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 24, 2017
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks teams elected not to take to the field during the national anthem.
The protests were spurred by a speech supporting Alabama Republican Senator Luther Strange on Friday night, in which Trump said “wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’”
That speech drew the ire of players and NFL team owners, who roundly supported the right to protest during the anthem.
A series of furious tweets followed, in which Trump lambasted players for choosing to peacefully protest, and retweeted a post saying “you can boycott our anthem… WE CAN BOYCOTT YOU!”.
If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American Flag — we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
Go ahead and add ‘NFL teams and their owners’ to the big list of people Trump has immensely pissed off, and don’t expect these protests to just disappear – they’re already starting in other sports, too.
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/911769742460977155
