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#pounditThursday, March 28, 2024

Roundup of all NFL protests during national anthem

Shad Khan

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.

On the other side, Ravens legend Ray Lewis — who has been critical of Colin Kaepernick — took a knee along with several Baltimore players.

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.

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.

The majority of Denver Broncos players either knelt or raised their fist during the anthem in Buffalo.

On the other side, Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy took things a step further, continuing his pregame stretches as the anthem was performed.

The Philadelphia Eagles were joined by owner Jeffrey Lurie in their pregame show of unity.

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.

In Charlotte, a number of New Orleans Saints players, including running back Adrian Peterson, remained seated on the bench during the anthem.

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.

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.

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.

Chargers owner Dean Spanos joined his players by linking arms with them.

In Green Bay, most Packers players linked arms, while a few players sat on the bench.

Bengals players locked arms.

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.

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.

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