DORI MONSON

Michael Bennett shakes hands with veterans outside VMAC

Sep 27, 2017, 11:41 AM | Updated: 3:02 pm

Michael Bennett...

Seahawk Michael Bennett. (AP)

(AP)

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett – who sat during the national anthem for weeks – shook hands with military veterans outside the team’s practice space this week, as photos on social media show.

RELATED: Bennett, others ask NFL to support social activism

Dayna Mink Coats was driving near the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, she saw a parked car in the middle of the road. She told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson it was Bennett with a group of military veterans.

Listen to Coats’ full interview with Dori

She wrote on Facebook:

“I thought it might be a car accident so I snapped a picture. As I got closer I realized it was group of military veterans who had assembled in front of the VMAC,” Coats wrote. “Mostly all Seniors who had probably seen the battlefield firsthand. They were proudly wearing their veteran’s hats, jackets and some carried American flags. The car in the middle of the road … it was Michael Bennett’s.”

Coats said as she drove by the veterans and Bennett shaking hands, she became emotional. So she pulled over in tears.

“Even talking about it now makes me pretty emotional,” Coats told Dori.

She wrote on Facebook:

“A few of the veterans came over to see if I was ok and behind them walked up Michael Bennett,” Coats wrote. “I was unprepared and not expecting this situation in my morning. But with eyes welled up with tears and speaking from my heart … I simply said, ‘Michael, I am so torn and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to disrespect our country, our flag or my husband who’s in the military but I want to understand. I’m a big Seahawks fan and I don’t know what to do?’ He reached in and hugged me.”

Coats told Dori, “I think maybe it was a glimmer of hope … I couldn’t even tell you what it was that essentially rushed over me,  but I just couldn’t help myself but cry. It was not what I expected my morning to be like.”

Pete Carroll: Seahawks’ demonstration was ‘for the flag,’

They talked for nearly 20 minutes, and Bennett explained how he had family in the military too. His father served 10 years in the U.S. Navy.

“He really, truly listened,” Coats told Dori. “And then I felt like it was my turn to listen.”

“The word unity was used several times and he admitted he didn’t know where to go from here. I do not know either,” Coats wrote on Facebook. “Nor do I know what the correct answers are … but I do know, I am thankful for those veterans and thankful Michael stopped to talk with them … and inadvertently me.”

Coats hopes her story inspires others to have a conversation and listen to each other. “That’s the key to all of this.”

Bennett will join Doug Baldwin for a CNN Town Hall hosted by Anderson Cooper on Wednesday at 6 p.m. PST.

KIRO 7 contributed to this story.

Dori Monson Show

Dori Monson

Dori Monson stage show...

MyNorthwest Staff

Watch: Dori Monson’s ‘What are the Odds?’ stage show

In 2019, Dori Monson hosted a stage show - 'What are the Odds?' - which introduced you to the people who helped shape his improbable career.

1 year ago

Dori Monson welcomes the Moose back to KIRO. Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest...

MyNorthwest Staff

A collection of the all-time best Dori Monson stories

With the passing of Dori Monson, a collection of some of his top stories to remember all the hard work Dori brought to Seattle.

1 year ago

Alaska, fishing...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Listen: Friends, colleagues offer tribute to KIRO Newsradio’s Dori Monson

All day Monday, KIRO Newsradio's John Curley talked to friends, news makers, and more in tribute to Dori Monson.

1 year ago

Dori Monson Shorecrest...

Dori Monson Show

How to support charities reflecting Dori Monson’s values, passions

In tribute to Dori Monson, learn more about how you can support these three charities which best reflect his values, passions, and advocacy.

1 year ago

From left, Producer Nicole Thompson and KIRO host Dori Monson. (Courtesy of the Monson family)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Broadcasters, politicians, coworkers and friends remember Dori Monson

Dori Monson, a longtime KIRO Newsradio host, passed away Saturday. He is remembered by public figures, broadcasters, coworkers, and listeners.

1 year ago

Dori Monson...

MyNorthwest Staff

Longtime KIRO Newsradio host Dori Monson dies at age 61

We are deeply saddened to announce Dori Monson's sudden passing on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at a Seattle hospital.

1 year ago

Michael Bennett shakes hands with veterans outside VMAC