The first full week of the NFL 2018 preseason began with a defiant start.
NFL players continued their national anthem protests by kicking off the preseason with fists in the air, some on their knees on Thursday night as the league began the 2018 preseason.
President Donald Trump, who has been openly critical of the league and has condemned players who disrespect the flag and the nation with their protests, denounced the renewed demonstrations in a tweet Friday.
The NFL players are at it again – taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
Despite the controversy surrounding the protests, some players chose to demonstrate during several early NFL preseason games on Thursday, Fox News reported.
This is not going to end well.
“NFL preseason sees kneeling, raised fists, during national anthem via the @FoxNews App https://t.co/DUqHlXMLoh— Janie Johnson (@jjauthor) August 10, 2018
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson knelt during “The Star-Spangled Banner” behind their teammates who were standing along the sideline before their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who did not appear to be protesting. Defensive end Robert Quinn stood and raised his right fist.
Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson kneeled during the national anthem.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 9, 2018
Kenny Stills, Malcolm Jenkins, other NFL players continue to protest racial injustice during anthem: https://t.co/Ay48pfxNu3 pic.twitter.com/LLPHYnKSrb
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) August 10, 2018
Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who sparked the protests by kneeling during the national anthem last season to protest social injustices, tweeted in response to Stills and Wilson’s reported protests.
My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee. Albert Wilson @iThinkIsee12 joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers!✊?
? @footcandles#imwithkap #imwithereid #takeaknee pic.twitter.com/LimoadfUcW— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 10, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and cornerback De’Vante Bausby raised their fists during the anthem before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
New #Dolphins DE Robert Quinn with a fist raised during the playing of the National Anthem, but I could not see anyone kneeling @nbc6 @NBC6Sports pic.twitter.com/HtpptbGSVd
— Chris Fischer NBC6 (@FischerNBC6) August 9, 2018
Malcolm Jenkins and De’Vante Bausby raised their fists during the anthem. Michael Bennett walked out of the tunnel during the anthem and spent the anthem walking toward the bench. Chris Long placed his arm around Jenkins’ shoulder.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) August 9, 2018
Defensive end Michael Bennett walked out of the tunnel during the anthem and “spent the anthem walking toward the bench,” according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Chris Long, also defensive end, reportedly “placed his arm around Jenkins’ shoulder.”
Malcolm Jenkins held his fist in the air in the during the national anthem. He had stopped last December. Chris Long had his arm around Jenkins.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 9, 2018
Seattle Seahawks defensive linemen Branden Jackson and Quinton Jefferson, and offensive lineman Duane Brown all left the field following team introductions and ran into the tunnel before the anthem played, returning to the sideline at its conclusion, CBS News reported.
In Jacksonville, team official said four Jaguars who stayed in the locker room during the anthem will have to explain their own actions. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebacker Telvin Smith, and running backs Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon emerged onto the sideline after the anthem ended.
“As a man, I got certain beliefs,” Smith said, according to CBS News. “You know what I mean? This is not going to become a distraction, and Jacksonville’s not going to become a distraction for this team. I got beliefs. I did what I did. I don’t know if it’s going to be every week, can’t answer if it’s going to be every week.
Jaguars LB Telvin Smith explains why he skipped the national anthem pic.twitter.com/u7yfGENkQE
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) August 10, 2018
“But as a man I’ve got to stand for something. I love my team, I’m dedicated to my teammates, and that’s what we’re talking about,” he added. “I did what I did. It was love. I hope people see it and respect it. I respect views.”
One restaurant in Florida cancelled its DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket package for the upcoming season specifically because of players’ national anthem protests. Beef O’Brady’s in Brooksville decided to use the money saved to honor veterans instead with a discount on their meals.
Meanwhile, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tim Williams stood alone with his back toward the field in front of the bench while most of his teammates stood shoulder to shoulder on the sideline.
“The NFL has been engaged in constructive discussions with the NFL Players Association regarding the anthem and issues of equality and social justice that are of concern to many Americans,” the NFL said in a statement on the preseason protests, according to Fox News.
“While those discussions continue, the NFL has agreed to delay implementing or enforcing any club work rules that could result in players being disciplined for their conduct during the performance of the anthem,” the statement said. “Meanwhile, there has been no change in the NFL’s policy regarding the national anthem.”
Former National Football League star Jim Brown declared that he “will always respect the flag” of his country.
“I’ll never kneel and I will always respect the flag,” the 82-year-old Hall of Famer who has actively been engaged in social justice causes, said, according to the Associated Press.
Former Browns player Jim Brown, Hall of Fame running back and civil rights activist, said Tuesday before the HBO premiere of “Hard Knocks” that he would always stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Brown: “I’ll never kneel and I will always respect the flag.” Brown said. pic.twitter.com/WIPX9jLvuD— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) August 8, 2018
“I am not going to denigrate my flag and I’m going to stand for the national anthem,” the legendary running back said. “I’m fighting with all of my strength to make it a better country, but I don’t think that’s the issue. Because what is the top side? Are you not going to stand up? This is our country, man.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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