Numerous players around the NFL protested during the national anthem on Sunday in light of President Trump’s critical comments about those who choose to do so.
Things started off early with the game in London between the Jaguars-Ravens tilt, which featured Jacksonville owner Shad Khan joining his players on the sideline by linking arms with them in a show of unity.
Trump: “NFL owners should fire players who protest!”
Shad Khan: pic.twitter.com/6i2TVaOqPD
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) September 24, 2017
On the other side, Ravens legend Ray Lewis — who has been critical of Colin Kaepernick — took a knee along with several Baltimore players.
Ravens players, along with Ray Lewis, take a knee during the national anthem in London. pic.twitter.com/TcMnCvj33b
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 24, 2017
The decision to link arms and stand as teammates was one taken by many teams, including the New England Patriots — though the members of the team who did kneel were subjected to boos from the home crowd.
Tom Brady and Philip Dorsett link arms with the rest of the Patriots team. pic.twitter.com/vacP68j8bQ
— Chase Brindisi (@Brindiesel12) September 24, 2017
In Indianapolis, a number of players on both the Colts and Cleveland Browns elected to kneel during the anthem. The Browns in particular saw a high number of players choose to protest.
Various #colts players lock arms and kneel during national anthem pic.twitter.com/dlrnsZji9X
— Mykal McEldowney (@mykalmphoto) September 24, 2017
Nearly 20 Cleveland Browns took a knee, arm in arm. This might be the biggest anthem protest we've seen yet. #TakeAKnee pic.twitter.com/G43wpgl7XL
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) September 24, 2017
The majority of Denver Broncos players either knelt or raised their fist during the anthem in Buffalo.
An overwhelming majority of the Denver @Broncos took a knee today during the national anthem. #TakeTheKnee
: Getty pic.twitter.com/8R1v7Y4hJ8
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 24, 2017
On the other side, Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy took things a step further, continuing his pregame stretches as the anthem was performed.
LeSean McCoy stretches during the anthem
(via @JennaCottrell, @WKBW, @13WHAM, h/t @matt_bove) pic.twitter.com/XsRK4yHOIj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 24, 2017
The Philadelphia Eagles were joined by owner Jeffrey Lurie in their pregame show of unity.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie locking arms with players on the field during the anthem. #NYGvsPHI pic.twitter.com/FHyHJtGnVx
— 0-3 SZN Ethan (@EthanGSN) September 24, 2017
A number of Miami Dolphins players wore shirts in support of Kaepernick ahead of their game against the New York Jets. Some Dolphins players kneeled, while owner Stephen Ross also joined the players by linking arms.
New York Jets and Miami Dolphins players stood and linked arms during the anthem. Some Dolphins players did kneel. https://t.co/KjM5EN7d4f pic.twitter.com/f5pk9NlHXP
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 24, 2017
Stephen Ross locking arms with the Dolphins players in unity. pic.twitter.com/FdgyKtxEpB
— Daniel Eliesen (@DanielEliesen) September 24, 2017
In Charlotte, a number of New Orleans Saints players, including running back Adrian Peterson, remained seated on the bench during the anthem.
A group of Saints players remains seated during the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/3NsTiiBWBK
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 24, 2017
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had his team stay in the locker room during the anthem. The only player not to do so was offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva, who stood in the tunnel.
Alejandro Villanueva came out of the locker room to observe the national anthem. Villanueva is a combat vet. Thank you. Alejandro. ?? pic.twitter.com/T3mhSO58Hm
— Based Monitored ?? (@BasedMonitored) September 24, 2017
In Detroit, with both the Lions and Atlanta Falcons each linking arms and a few players kneeling, it was national anthem singer Rico Lavelle who made the biggest statement, kneeling at the end of his performance.
Rico Lavelle sang the anthem AND took a knee pic.twitter.com/mgno4HCzZQ
— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) September 24, 2017
In Los Angeles, members of the Kansas City Chiefs and Chargers both kneeled before their game. KC tight end Travis Kelce, who is white, was among those to kneel.
During Chiefs-Chargers, Travis Kelce is maybe the most prominent white player to kneel today. Several Chargers players kneeling, too. pic.twitter.com/nnmJIGjmMA
— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) September 24, 2017
Chargers owner Dean Spanos joined his players by linking arms with them.
Anthem from StubHub – Spanos' locked arms with team pic.twitter.com/wlFpZeuBKG
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) September 24, 2017
In Green Bay, most Packers players linked arms, while a few players sat on the bench.
#Packers TEs Lance Kendricks and Martellus Bennett, along with rookie CB Kevin King, sit through national anthem. pic.twitter.com/DDn7Ztbq99
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) September 24, 2017
Bengals players locked arms.
#Bengals players lock arms during national anthem before game against Packers. @Enquirer pic.twitter.com/5YhVVCgviH
— Kareem Elgazzar (@ElgazzarBLVD) September 24, 2017
In Nashville, both the Titans and Seahawks remained in the locker room during the anthem as a joint display. Anthem singer Megan Linsey also kneeled.
During the Seahawks-Titans game, both teams didn't come out for the playing of the anthem and the anthem singer kneeled pic.twitter.com/u5AM9BowUG
— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) September 24, 2017
The teams could be subject to discipline from the league for not being on the field during the anthem, but it appears they will not be fined.
President Trump responded to the displays with yet another tweet on the matter Sunday. He said he backed locking arms but not kneeling.
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
