Raiders link arms during national anthem
No Raiders on the field for the national anthem before their 2020 season opener knelt in protest Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Instead, the team linked arms on the sideline of Bank of America Stadium in an apparent show of unity after a summer of American unrest over police violence against Black people.
Head coach Jon Gruden was flanked in the Raiders’ formation by rookie defensive back Damon Arnette and tight end Darren Waller, both of whom are Black.
The only Raider who appeared not to join the chain was Trent Brown, who stood behind the line.
He made no visible demonstration. Several Carolina Panthers players did kneel for the anthem, and others raised their fists in a Black Power salute as a form of protest.
One kneeling Panther player was quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who joined the team in the offseason on a three-year, $63 million contract.
Panthers safety Tre Boston also knelt, and linebacker Shaq Thompson raised his fist.
ESPN reports eight Panthers in total knelt for the anthem.
The Raiders also stood for the playing for “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem.
The Panthers stood on the goal line before moving to their sideline for the “Star Spangled Banner”. RUGGS ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY IN OPENER>> The Raiders and their fans loved what they saw early Sunday from first-round pick Henry Ruggs III in the season opener ... until they watched him limp to the locker room late in the first half against Carolina.
Ruggs injured his left knee after catching his third pass of the game late in the first half. Panthers rookie defensive back Jeremy Chinn rolled up on Ruggs’ left leg while making the tackle. Ruggs struggled to get to the sideline after his first-down catch and minutes later he walked gingerly to the Raiders locker room.
Thankfully for the Raiders, Ruggs’ knee injury wasn’t deemed serious and he was able to return at the start of the second half of the team’s 34-30 season-opening victory. He didn’t catch a pass after halftime and wasn’t even targeted, but he still finished with a team-best 55 yards receiving.
Ruggs, who became arguably the NFL’s fastest player when the Raiders took him with the 12th overall pick in the draft, flashed his speed early against the Panthers.
He effortlessly sped past Carolina defenders on a deep crossing route and Derek Carr found him open for Ruggs’ first career catch. Ruggs was dragged down at the Panthers 1 by Tre Boston.