Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio praises Stills for his community service
DAVIE — Sen. Marco Rubio praised Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills, one of four NFL players who continued to protest social injustice during the national anthem before seasonopening games, for his community service work.
“No @NFL player does more community service than @KStills of the @MiamiDolphins,” Rubio posted from his Twitter account on Wednesday.
“You don’t have to agree with how or why he has chosen to exercise the 1st Amendment before every game to acknowledge the hours he gives voluntarily, on his day off, to serve his fellow Americans.”
Rubio shared a tweet with photos from Stills, who was joined by Dolphins receiver Albert Wilson, former Dolphins standout Mark Duper and Miami Dolphins cheerleaders during visits to Miami VA Healthcare System and West Palm Beach VA Medical Center on Tuesday — the 17th anniversary of 9/11.
“Senator Rubio and I have had a couple of conversations, and I think that’s kind of where that comes from,” Stills said Thursday after seeing Rubio’s tweet. “He understands and sees the work that I’m doing — that we’re doing here as an organization — and I think he supports that.”
Stills and Wilson took a knee during the anthem before the Dolphins’ seasonopening win over the Titans on Sunday, while Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist in the air. Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch sat during the anthem in his game Monday night.
They were the only NFL players to continue an onfield protest started by Colin Kaepernick in 2016.
Kaepernick praised Stills and Wilson from his Twitter account Sunday for their continued support toward his cause.
“My Brothers @kstills and @ithinkisee12 continue to show their unwavering strength by fighting for the oppressed! They have not backed down, even when attacked and intimidated. Their courage will move the world forward! Love is at the root of our resistance!”
Rubio, a Republican, has shared support of Kaepernick earlier this year, telling TMZ the former 49ers quarterback should be on an NFL roster.
“Look, I support his right to stand for what he does,” Rubio said. “I don’t agree with what he did, but I support his right to do it.”
As far as protests during the anthem are concerned in the NFL, the league and its players’ union are working to find a resolution to a grievance filed in court about the new policy forcing players to stand for the anthem.