Several players on the Lions roster knelt during the playing of the national anthem yesterdayGETTY IMAGES
Some NFL teams "stayed in their locker rooms during the playing of the national anthem and the song 'Lift Every Voice and Sing'" during Week 1, and their absence "appeared to dilute the pledge many players had made to use their positions to raise awareness of racial injustice, even without fans in most stadiums," according to Ken Belson of the N.Y. TIMES. Still, there were "plenty of gestures." The players "took advantage of the league's embrace of their efforts, even at the cost of alienating fans who do not want social statements to encroach on their sports viewing." Fanatics Chair & CEO Michael Rubin said, "These issues are top of mind, and the players are going to use their platforms. I don't see any chance of this reversing course" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/14).
TAKING A KNEE: Colts coach Frank Reich knelt during the national anthem prior to their game against the Jaguars, and he said, "I understand that there will be a backlash. ... I was comfortable with the conviction we had as a team, and I had as an individual, that it was the right to do." In Indianapolis, Gregg Doyel notes Reich "knows what will happen next." The Colts released a statement moments after viewers saw Reich kneeling that "highlighted what they were -- and were not -- doing on Sunday during the anthem." On what they were doing, the Colts wrote, "(Making) a statement on behalf of the Black communities in our state of Indiana but also on behalf of all Black communities from where our players and coaches call home." The Colts added they were "not protesting the flag, the anthem, or the men and women who wear the uniform." When the team was brainstorming ideas, it was Reich who "suggested that he be the one to kneel" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/14). The Jaguars "remained in the locker room." Most of the fans at TIAA Bank Field "did not stand when 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' was played, but no booing was heard" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 9/14).
MORE TEAM ACTION: Teams had different ways of protesting social injustice during Week 1. Below is a sampling:
- The Dolphins opened their season against the Patriots "after following through with a vow to avoid taking the field until both the national anthem and 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' had been performed" (PALM BEACH POST, 9/14).
- The majority of Rams players prior to playing the Cowboys "warmed up wearing black T-shirts with white letters that read 'It Takes All Of Us.'" For the national anthem, 15 Rams players "took a knee and five remained in the locker room" (L.A. TIMES, 9/14).
- During the national anthem before Cardinals-49ers, the 49ers "were on the field, and the majority of their players stood during the song." The Cardinals "were one of several teams to skip being on the field" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/14).
- Six Vikings players knelt during the anthem before their loss to the Packers. The Packers "elected to not come out of the locker room for the anthem" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 9/14).
- The Raiders "linked arms on the sideline of Bank of America Stadium" during the anthems prior to their game against the Panthers (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 9/14).
- Both the Jets and the Bills "remained in the locker room" (N.Y. POST, 9/14).
- For Seahawks-Falcons in Atlanta, all 22 players on the field for the opening kickoff "took a knee and the kick was not returned" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/14).
WORK IN PROGRESS: In Chicago, Colleen Kane notes several Bears players indicated that they are "working with the organization to map out a plan to help in communities affected by racism, police brutality and social injustice." Bears Chair George McCaskey said that the team is "trying to help streamline their ideas." The team has not announced any initiatives thus far. McCaskey said, "I'm very impressed that for a lot of guys, it's more than the symbolism of taking a knee. It's concrete action to make the positive change in our community. If they feel more encouraged now to speak out, we welcome that" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/14).
KAEPERNICK SPEAKS: Colin Kaepernick "blasted the NFL Sunday, questioning how the league can claim to support the 'Black Lives Matter' movement while he claims it is 'still actively blackballing' his former 49ers teammate Eric Reid." Kaepernick yesterday tweeted, "While the NFL runs propaganda about how they care about Black Life, they are still actively blackballing Eric Red (@E_Reid35) for fighting for the Black community" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 9/14).
