NFL >> Seahawks’ Bennett to sit for national anthem
Bennett will sit during anthem as a form of protest
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett plans to sit during the national anthem this season to protest social injustice and expects a backlash over an issue that is “bigger than a sport.”
He sat on the visiting bench during “The StarSpangled Banner” before a preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, a decision he made before weekend protests by white supremacists at the University of Virginia.
The violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, including the death of a young woman struck by a car deliberately driven into a group of counter-protesters Saturday, solidified Bennett’s decision.
“With everything that’s been going on the last couple of months and especially after the last couple of days ... I just wanted to be able to use my platform to be able to continue to speak over injustice,” Bennett said.
“First of all, I want people to understand I love the military. My father was in the military. I love hot dogs like any other American. I love football like any other American, but I don’t love segregation,” he added. “I don’t love riots. I don’t love oppression. I don’t love gender slander. I just want to see people have the equality that they deserve, and I want to be able to use this platform to continuously push the message of that.”
At least two other prominent NFL players protested during the anthem over the weekend. Oakland running back Marshawn Lynch also sat, and Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist, as he did last season following then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the anthem.
Freeman sitting out
Atlanta’s Devonta Freeman has concussion symptoms and the team is taking no chances with the league’s highest-paid running back, who has been ruled out of this week’s preseason game at Pittsburgh.
Freeman left Sunday’s practice feeling weak, and Coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Freeman has been placed in the concussion protocol.
“He may start practicing as we go but we’ll rule him out for now for the game as more of a precautionary note,” Quinn said.
The Falcons agreed to terms Wednesday on a fiveyear, $41.25 million extension with Freeman.
Dolphins sign Griffey
The Miami Dolphins signed undrafted free agent receiver Trey Griffey, the son of Hall of Fame baseball player Ken Griffey Jr.
Griffey had 79 catches for 1,241 yards and six touchdowns in four seasons at Arizona. A center fielder in baseball, he was drafted in the 24th round in 2016 by the Seattle Mariners but opted to stay with football.
Bills lose receiver
The revamped group of Buffalo Bills receivers is down a key addition with Jordan Matthews sidelined indefinitely because of a chip fracture in his sternum he suffered Sunday.
The Bills list Matthews as week to week, and general manager Brandon Beane said Monday he’s “hopeful” he’ll be ready for the season opener in four weeks.
The Bills are counting on Matthews to fill Sammy Watkins’ spot after he was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams on Friday.
Jaguars to sit pair
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette and receiver Marqise Lee won’t play in Thursday’s preseason game against Tampa Bay.
Coach Doug Marrone ruled out both players, reiterating that the team is exexercising caution.
Fournette has a “nagging” foot injury that Marrone said has “been kind of growing.” The fourth overall pick in the NFL draft attended practice Monday but wasn’t wearing pads and didn’t do any work.
Lee sprained his right ankle at practice Sunday.
Broncos hurting
Denver defensive end Jared Crick injured his right leg during drills Monday, just 48 hours after the Broncos’ other starting defensive end, Derek Wolfe, was carted off the field with a sprained right ankle that could sideline him until the season opener.
The Broncos have been hit hard along their defensive line, losing end Billy Winn to a torn right ACL in their preseason opener, in addition to missing nose tackle Kyle Peko (foot) and outside linebackers Shane Ray (wrist) and Shaq Barrett (hip).