Marshall kneels in protest during anthem

Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall became the latest athlete to kneel during the US national anthem in a protest against social injustice before his team’s game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.

Marshall, following in the path of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, knelt on the sideline before the anthem began, and remained in that position while his teammates stood to his left.

“The message is I’m against social injustice,” Marshall said after the game. “I’m not against the military or police or America at all. I’m against social injustice and I feel like this was the right thing to do.”

Marshall, who is black, is the third NFL player to not stand during the national anthem since Kaepernick began his sideline protest against racial injustice and police brutality.

Kaepernick’s teammate Eric Reid joined in the protest during the 49ers’ pre-season finale while Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sat on the bench against the Oakland Raiders.

The NFL’s opening week resumes Sunday with 13 games and some players, including Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin and defensive end Cliff Avril have said they are considering not standing during the national anthem before their game against Miami.

Many Americans saw Kaepernick’s gesture as a sign of disrespect to the flag and criticism was widespread, but he has also been supported by several fellow athletes.

“While we encourage members of our organization to stand during the national anthem, we understand and respect it being a personal decision,” the Broncos said in a statement.

Marshall, who was Denver’s second-leading tackler during their run to a Super Bowl title last season and a teammate of Kaepernick at the University of Nevada, said that he supported Kaepernick’s actions.

The use of force by police against AfricanAmericans in cities such as Baltimore, Ferguson and Missouri has sparked periodic and sometimes destructive protests in the past two years.