Players and coaches from the Packers and Bears on "TNF" locked arms on their respective sidelines during the national anthem, but the "majority of spectators" at Lambeau Field "did not link arms with their neighbors," as was suggested by the team, according to a front-page piece by Michael Cohen of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said, “We could hear some 'USA' chants as it started -- which is fantastic. We could also hear some negativity being yelled during the anthem. Semantics there, right? What’s disrespectful to the anthem, yelling things during it or standing at attention with arms locked facing the flag? (I’ll) let you decide." No players on either team sat or kneeled (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/29). CBS' Tracy Wolfson noted Rodgers was "very vocal this week about what they wanted their message to be regarding the national anthem." He said that linking arms is "not a protest" but instead a "unified demonstration of love and solidarity, a call to connect" ("TNF," CBS, 9/28). Rodgers "downplayed the lukewarm participation." He said, "It was an invitation to join us. The beauty is, it's a free country, so they can choose to do it or not." ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky noted there was an "increased security presence on the field during the anthem, including armed guards near the benches." One sign behind the Packers bench read: "Shame on the NFL. Vets stand for the flag" (ESPN.com, 9/29).
GOING AROUND THE LEAGUE: Giants LB Jonathan Casillas, who was among a group of players to meet earlier this week with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the anthem situation, said that President & CEO John Mara "politely asked team leaders that his players stand for the anthem from now on but added he still will support those who kneel, too." Casillas: "He basically said he can’t ask us to do anything, really, he just request that we stand. ... But he also said if anyone in the locker room feels like they want to kneel, feels like they have to kneel, he’d be supportive of anybody who has to do that. Honestly, as a player in this league and everything going on, we can’t really ask for anything more than that" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/29). Saints QB Drew Brees on Friday announced that the entire team "will kneel before the anthem and then stand during the rendition of it" prior to their game agaisnt the Dolphins Sunday in London. The Cowboys "used the same method before their game last Monday" (NOLA.com, 9/29). Broncos players announced Thursday they will "stand for the national anthem starting Sunday when they host the Raiders." In Denver, Nicki Jhabvala reports the team’s leadership council "convened Wednesday after practice to discuss their plan going forward" (DENVER POST, 9/29). Meanwhile, Broncos Exec VP/Public & Community Relations Patrick Smyth said that there has "not been a single request to close a season-ticket account by a fan upset" over Broncos players taking a knee (DENVER POST, 9/29).
LET IT BURN: In Tampa, Taylor & Reeves report a "flag-waving 'Stand Up for America' rally is scheduled outside Raymond James Stadium to coincide with the start" of Sunday's Giants-Buccaneers game. A diner in Brooksville, Fla., on Sunday plans a "Celebration of Patriotism" event where patrons can "get a free hot dog for bringing NFL merchandise to burn" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/29). In Providence, Mark Reynolds reports roads near a Swansea, Mass., house were "off limits to vehicles Thursday night as a group burned" Patriots apparel in a counter protest. Patriots gear, mostly T-shirts and not expensive jerseys, were "thrown into a raised fire-pit on a manicured lawn just a short distance off the road." At one point, the small group "organized by the property owner, Mark T. Shane, sang 'God Bless America.'” They "recited the Pledge of Allegiance and then tossed some garments, none of them appearing to be game jerseys, into the fire" (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 9/29).
LET THAT SINK IN: Titans TE Delanie Walker said that he has "received death threats, since telling fans who didn’t like the team’s protest during the national anthem that they were welcome to not watch the team’s games." The Titans said that they have "received death threats on the team’s social media accounts" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 9/29). Lions DT Akeem Spence tweeted Thursday that his father was "denied a contracting job because of Spence's protest during the national anthem on Sunday" (ESPN.com, 9/28).
