Group protest
Several Browns kneel for anthem
BROWNS head coach Hue Jackson said last week he “would hope we don’t have those issues,” when asked for his thoughts on players protesting during the national anthem.
But Jackson had to deal with “those issues” on Monday.
A large group of Browns players knelt in a circle behind the team’s bench during the national anthem prior to the team’s preseason game against the Giants on Monday.
Linebacker Jamie Collins and wide receivers Kenny Britt and Ricardo Louis were among the players who knelt during the national anthem.
Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer, punter Britton Colquitt and defensive back Jason McCourty stood near the circle of players and each placed a hand on a kneeling teammate as a show of support.
Colquitt is the third white NFL player to show support to players protesting the national anthem. Eagles defensive end Chris Long previously placed his arm around Malcolm Jenkins, who raised his right hand in a fist, during the national anthem prior to the Eagles preseason game on Friday.
No Giants player was seen protesting the national anthem.
Last week Jackson told Cleveland.com he hadn’t addressed protesting the national anthem with his team, but hoped he wouldn’t have to deal with the extra media attention.
“I think everybody has a right to do, and I get it, but the national anthem means a lot to myself personally, the organization and our football team,” Jackson told the site. “I would hope that we don’t have those issues.”
Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick controversially sat — and later knelt — during the national anthem all of last season in order to raise awareness of social injustice and racism in America. Kaepernick remains unsigned after opting out of his contract this offseason.