Mayfield changes mind, will stand during anthem
Browns QB Baker Mayfield has changed plans and will stand for the national anthem.
Mayfield had said during the offseason he intended to kneel in protest of racial injustice, but Saturday announced on Twitter that he intends to stand for both the “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which will be played before every NFL game this season.
The Browns open the season Sunday against the Ravens in Baltimore.
“After watching Thursday’s game and also watching the Dolphins player’s video, it shows that it is not about who is standing or who is kneeling for the anthem,” Mayfield wrote. “But instead, coming together and taking action to create real change. Also after reading many letters and messages over the past few weeks. ... I have been showed that a gesture such as kneeling will only create more division or discussion about the gesture, rather than be a solution towards our country’s problems at hand.
“With that being said, I am choosing to stand for both anthems to show respect, love, and unity to everybody involved.”
Mayfield, who’s a member of the Browns’ 11-player social justice committee, said he’ll respect whatever decisions his teammates make as far as protesting during the anthems. The Vikings signed Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook, 25, to a five-year contract extension worth $63 million with $28.2 million guaranteed, ESPN reported. ... RB Miles Sanders will miss the Eagles’ season opener against host Washington due to a hamstring injury, according to reports. Sanders, 23, who set team records for scrimmage yards (1,327) and rushing yards (818) by a rookie while finishing eighth in the NFL in all-purpose yards (1,641) last season, has been listed as week to week since August. ... The Bills placed former All-Pro CB Josh Norman on IR because of a hamstring injury. Norman, 32, will miss at least three games. ... The 49ers placed WR Deebo Samuel on IR because of a Jones fracture in his left foot. Samuel, 24, will miss at least three games. ... Titans rookie OL Isaiah Wilson was arrested and charged with drunken driving after he was spotted Friday night doing “donuts” in an intersection before crashing into a concrete wall. The 29th overall pick in the draft out of Georgia is on the reserveCOVID list for the second time.
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