The Seattle Seahawks are planning something big for their season opener on Sunday and talk is buzzing that they’re organizing a massive team protest of the national anthem.
Taking their cue from 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t stopped making headlines since his courageous decision to stay seated during the singing of the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the Seahawks are reportedly in talks to take things to the next level. In addition to Seahawks defensive back Jeremy Lane deciding to remain seated during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner last week, another hint that the team has something bigger in the works came from linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Speaking to the Seattle Times on Wednesday, Wagner emphasized that whatever grand gesture is ahead for Sunday’s game would be a “team effort.”
“It’s not going to be individual,” he said. “It’s going to be a team thing. That’s what the world needs to see. The world needs to see people coming together versus being individuals.” Wagner went on to add that what the team does will be a “big surprise.”
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Wide receiver Doug Baldwin also confirmed in a tweet that the team is aiming to make a statement during Sunday’s game and plans to “honor the country and the flag” before kickoff.
To express a desire to bring people together, our team will honor the country and flag in a pregame demonstration of unity.
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) September 8, 2016
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has also spoken out in support of his players exercising their right to remain seated during the national anthem. From the looks of things, it seems Kaepernick’s commendable decision to take a stand has changed the game both on and off the field.