Player protests rule the day
Demonstrations spread through the league as players join protests,
NFL players responded in full force Sunday after President Trump repeatedly called for swift punishment against those who chose to protest by not standing during the national anthem.
Demonstrations spread through the league as many players joined protests or engaged in team-wide displays of unity.
Several players from the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons were among those who chose not to stand for the anthem. The Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and Green Bay Packers stood with arms locked, though some players chose to kneel.
Included among players who protested: Julius Peppers, who did not join his Carolina Panthers teammates on the sideline; LeSean McCoy, who stretched during the anthem before the Bills game; and Adrian Peterson, who was one of several Saints players to remain seated.
Sixteen Patriots players took a knee during the anthem. Quarterback Tom Brady stood and locked arms with teammates. “I’ve got a lot of love for my teammates. ... I believe in all of us coming together,” Brady said.
In Sunday’s first game from London, several Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars players either knelt or locked arms on their respective sidelines in solidarity during the national anthem at Wembley Stadium.
Jaguars owner Shahid Khan locked arms with tight end Mercedes Lewis and linebacker Telvin Smith. Khan was one of seven owners to donate $1 million to President Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities. Also kneeling with Baltimore was former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
The Pittsburgh Steelers chose not to have players on the sideline during the anthem before a game against the Chicago Bears. The Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans followed suit in their game later in the afternoon.
A league executive told USA TODAY Sports that although players are required to be present for the national anthem, no fines would be handed down for those who were absent.
“We’re not going to play politics. We’re football players, we’re football coaches,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’re not par- ticipating in the anthem today – not to be disrespectful to the anthem, but to remove ourselves from the circumstance.
“People shouldn’t have to choose. If a guy wants to go about his normal business and participate in the anthem, he shouldn’t be forced to choose sides.”
In Detroit, some Lions fans booed kneeling players before the singing of the anthem. And Rico LaVelle, who sang the anthem, took a knee as he finished the song and held up his right first clenching the microphone.
Multiple members of the Dolphins wore shirts that read “#IMWITHKAP,” referencing former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, before their game against the New York Jets. Kaepernick, who began the protests last year by choosing not to stand during the anthem and remains a free agent, said he wanted to speak out against racial injustice and police brutality.
At a rally on Friday in Alabama, Trump said, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b---off the field right now. Out. He’s fired. He’s fired!”
Fan reaction was mixed for the most part. Tony Howell of Evansville, Ind., supported the anthem protest. “The world champions don’t even want to go to the White House,” said Howell. “That used to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Who wants to go with that guy there?”
Yet others believe the players should find another way to protest. Dan Stauffer and Melody Schmitt, also of Evansville, held a sign outside Lucas Oil Stadium that said, “Stand for America” as people walked by and stared. “During the anthem, you stand,” Schmitt said. “Show respect for the people who have given life and limb to this country.”
After the protests, Trump backed the displays of unity but once again spoke out against those who chose to kneel.
Earlier on Sunday he said, “If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend! …NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.”
Players, commissioners and owners from multiple sports lashed out against the president during the weekend. The issue grew when Trump withdrew an invitation to the White House for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, specifically pointing to star Stephen Curry. Later, college basketball national champion North Carolina said it would not visit the White House, citing scheduling conflicts.
On Sunday, the NHL champion Pittsburgh Penguins said they have accepted an invitation to attend.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins respect the institution of the Office of the President, and the long tradition of championship teams visiting the White House,” the team said in a statement Sunday. “However, we very much respect the rights of other individuals and groups to express themselves as they see fit.”