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Home · News

Protest Players: Here Are All The Athletes Who Took A Knee On NFL Kickoff Sunday

Thirteen professional football players joined Colin Kaepernick in protest of the national anthem during the start to the 2016-2017 NFL season. Members of the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos demonstrated action during "The Star-Spangled Banner." See all the players who took a stand (or a knee) in solidarity with Kaepernick's effort to end social injustice and police violence.

By Lauren Porter · September 12, 2016October 26, 2020
01
Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty
Teammates Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty raised their fists during the anthem as they prepared to play the Arizona Cardinals.
Twitter.com/PP_Rich_Hill
02
Martellus Bennett
Martellus Bennett is a member of the New England Patriots as a Tight End. He’s played in the NFL Since 2008.
AP Images
03
Devin McCourty
1/2 of the “McCourty Twins,” Devin plays safety for the New England Patriots.
AP Images
04
Marcus Peters

During the National Anthem, Kansas City Chiefs Cornerback Marcus Peters raised his right fist in protest in the game against the San Diego Chargers who said after the game, “I’m black, I love being black and I’m supporting Colin as far as what he’s doing as far as raising awareness of (the) justice system.”

 

John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star via AP
05
Marcus Peters

Following the game on Sunday, Peters told reporters, “It’s not about attention for me, though. Don’t talk about it – be about it. I come from a majority black community from Oakland, California. I grew up around my people a lot. I got family who’s still in the struggle. All I’m saying is we need to educate the youth. If we keep educating the kids, then we eliminate these problems.”

Getty Images
06
Jurrell Casey, Jason McCourty and Wesley Woodyard
With their right fists in the air, Tennessee Titans teammates took a stand during the national anthem.
Instagram.com/SportsIllustrated
07
Jason McCourty
Jason McCourty plays cornerback for the Tennessee Titans. He joined the NFL 2009 after playing college football at Rutgers University.
AP Images
08
Jurrell Casey

Tennessee Titans Defensive End Jurrell Casey joined the NFL in 2011. 

Getty Images
09
Wesley Woodyard

Wesley Woodyard joined the NFL in 2008.

AP Images
10
Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall took a knee during Thursday night’s football game which prompted in him to lose an endorsement from the Air Academy Federal Credit Union.
Twitter.com/bubbaprog
11
Brandon Marshall

“People calling me the N-word and a lot of people calling me all kinds of derogatory names,” said the Denver Broncos linebaker who has been in the national football league since 2012. “It is what it is. There’s a lot of hate out there. I’m not here to spread hate or negativity. I’m here to spread positivity.”

Getty Images
12
Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills

Before kick off, the Miami Dolphins organization released a statement regarding any actions their players might take. “We encourage all members of our organization to stand at attention during the national anthem out of respect and appreciation for the freedoms we are afforded as Americans. We also recognize that it’s an individual’s right to reflect during the anthem in different ways. We respect these liberties and appreciate the sacrifices that everyone has made for our country, especially on this day of remembrance. We hope today’s events will continue a respectful and thoughtful dialogue in our community on unity, inclusiveness and togetherness.” Four of the teams athlete’s took a knee during the anthem. 

 

AP Images
13
Arian Foster

Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster has been vocal about his feelings regarding why he’s taking action by taking a knee. “They say it’s not the time to do this,” he said during a postgame interview. “When is the time? It’s never the time in somebody else’s eye, because they’ll always feel like it’s good enough. And some people don’t. That’s the beautiful thing about this country. If somebody feels it’s not good enough, they have that right. That’s all we’re doing, exercising that right.”

 

AP Photo
14
Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas is a safety for the Miami Dolphins. 

AP Photo
15
Jelani Jenkins

Jelani Jenkins is a Maryland native who joined the NFL in 2013. 

AP Photo
16
Kenny Stills

“We talked as a team,” Stills said. “And a couple of individuals on the team felt like because of what’s going on in this country, we wanted to make a statement by taking a knee and putting our hands over our chest. We have made our decision and we stand by how we feel.”

AP Photo
17
Jeremy Lane
The Seattle Seahawks cornerback sat during the anthem before a preseason NFL football game. On Sunday, Lane joined his teammates as they all locked arms during the anthem.
AP Photo/Tony Avelar
18
Jeremy Lane

Lane decided to follow suit behind Kaepernick in order to stand up for some sort of justice for the Black community. 

Getty Images
19
Eric Reid and Colin Kaepernick

Eric Reid and Colin Kaepernick were side by side as they took a knee on the sideline during the anthem.

Getty Images
20
Colin Kaepernick

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback began the charge to protest the anthem during a preseason game. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color,” Kaepernick, 28, said in an interview with NFL Media after the preseason game. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

AP Photo
21
Eric Reid

“It’s something that’s been on my mind all week,” said the San Francisco 49ers free safety, who joined the league in 2013. “I believe in what he’s doing. I believe that there are issues in this country — many issues, too many to name. It’s not one particular issue. But there are people out there that feel there are injustices being made and happening in our country on a daily basis. I just wanted to show him I support him. I know there are other people in this country that feel the same way.”

 

AP Images

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