NFL Week 4 Protests: Dozens Kneel, Sit and Raise Fists During Anthem

NFL Week 4 Protests: Dozens Kneel, Sit and Raise Fists During Anthem
Buffalo Bills players kneel during the national anthem prior to the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 1, 2017, in Atlanta, Ga. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Bowen Xiao
10/2/2017
Updated:
10/2/2017

The NFL protests continued in Week 4 for Sunday’s games as dozens of players took a knee during the national anthem while others sat or raised fists.

But the total number of players kneeling was lower when compared to last week when around 200 players knelt in protest.

The protests come a day after President Donald Trump said that it was “very important” for NFL players to stand at Sunday’s Oct. 1 games.

“Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem. Respect our Flag and our Country!” Trump tweeted on Sept. 30.

Many people seem to agree with Trump, as of this writing his tweet has garnered over 118,250 likes and over 26,560 retweets.

Those who knelt included half of the San Francisco 49ers. The team’s official Twitter account posted a video of the players captioned with “Together.” Their opponents, the Arizona Cardinals all stood for the anthem.

The 49ers also posted a statement on Twitter: “For more than a year, members of our team have protested the oppression and social injustices still present in our society. While some may not have taken a knee or raised a fist, we have all shared the desire to influence positive change. Today, our team chose to publicly display our unity in a new way and, in turn, urge others do the same.”

Three players from the Miami Dolphins were also seen kneeling, Julius Thomas, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills, Fox News reported.

Several players for the Seattle Seahawks sat on the bench during the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” including defensive lineman Michael Bennett. Their team’s opponents the Indianapolis Colts stood and linked arms.

Marshawn Lynch, running back for the Oakland Raiders was the only player who didn’t stand for the national anthem before their game against the Denver Broncos Fox News reported. Last week, 32 Broncos players knelt and almost all of the Raiders sat on the bench during the anthem.

ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell, calculated exactly how many players knelt for this Sunday’s games compared to last week’s games. He revealed the number of players that knelt for each team that played on Sunday.

“Last Sunday, about 180 NFL players didn’t stand for the national anthem. Today? 52” Rovell tweeted on Oct. 1.

From NTD.tv
Bowen Xiao was a New York-based reporter at The Epoch Times. He covers national security, human trafficking and U.S. politics.
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