QB ‘absolutely’ kneeling
Cleveland Browns quarterback
Baker Mayfield plans to kneel during the national anthem this upcoming season to support protests of social injustice, police brutality and racism. In answering a post from a fan on his Instagram account Saturday that pleaded with him not to kneel, Mayfield responded:
“Pull your head out.
I absolutely am. Mayfield has been outspoken about the need for more understanding and justice in the nation after the killing of George Floyd, a black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis. “It’s a pivotal time for change,” Mayfield said Thursday. Mayfield wore an “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt while working out. Later, he posted another message outlining his stance on kneeling. “Everybody so upset about my comment doesn’t understand the reason behind kneeling in the first place,” Mayfield wrote. “I have the utmost respect for our military, cops, and people that serve OUR country. It’s about equality and everybody being treated the same because we are all human. It’s been ignored for too long and that it my fault as well for not becoming more educated and staying silent. If I lose fans, that’s OK. I’ve always spoken my mind. And that’s from the heart.” On Friday, Houston Texans Coach Bill
O’Brien said he would kneel with his players if they chose to do so during the anthem. While not going as far as O’Brien, new Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear he would back his players in any peaceful demonstrations.