Seahawks continue to sit, kneel during National Anthem
Oct 23, 2017, 8:49 AM | Updated: 10:14 am
Several #Seahawks players sitting during the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/AKSlyJ03fN
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 22, 2017
Seahawks players continue to sit and kneel during the National Anthem.
According to observations by Sports Illustrated, they were joined by a few players around the NFL on Sunday, but perhaps fewer than previous games.
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Michael Bennett was joined by eight other players who remained seated or knelt.
KING 5 reports Cliff Avril, Frank Clark, Marcus Smith, Quinton Jefferson, Sheldon Richardson, Jarran Reed, Branden Jackson, and Michael Wilhoite were not standing during the anthem. Justin Britt and Oday Aboushi continue to show their support by placing a hand on teammates’ shoulders.
Sports Illustrated reports Olivier Vernon of the Giants took a knee during the anthem. All other teammates stood and linked arms.
Around the NFL, fewer players were reportedly seen taking a knee or sitting during the anthem on Sunday. There were a few notable exceptions, according to SI: several Bills players stood behind their teammates’ line; Titans’ Rishard Matthews remained in the tunnel during the anthem; Saints players knelt before the anthem and Packers stood with arms linked; Kenny Still, Michael Thomas and Julius Thomas remained in Miami’s locker room during the anthem. Several 49ers knelt during the anthem.
Two weeks ago, the entire Seahawks team stood during “The Star-Spangled Banner” to honor the victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting. At the time, Bennett indicated he’d remain sitting when the team returned after its bye week.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is trying to get all players to stand for the anthem.
Bennett says no meaningful discussions on players’ protests can take place until there is a “deep conversation” about Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick started the National Anthem protest but has since become a free agent. He has filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging team colluded to not sign him over his protest.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media last year. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Bennett says the league ought to give him an opportunity again.
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