There were "no visible protests" during the national anthem prior to Falcons-Eagles last night. Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins stood on the sideline with his "hands clasped behind his back," and DE Michael Bennett "also stood." Jenkins during preseason games had "waited in the tunnel for the anthem to be played," while Bennett "waited in the locker room until the anthem was over" (PHILLY.com, 9/6). Bennett and RB Jay Ajayi "took seats on the bench near the end of 'The Star -Spangled Banner,' but that was the extent of it." Jenkins "wore a shirt that read 'Ca$h bail = poverty trap' in pregame warmups" (USATODAY.com, 9/6).
Jenkins said, "It's important for us as a movement to continue to change and adapt to the context of the situation. ... There's a huge need for us to turn the attention to not only the issues, but what players are actually doing in their communities to promote change" (Wilmington NEWS JOURNAL, 9/7).
NBC's "Today" show opened with co-host Savannah Guthrie mentioning the lack of player protests: "Game on! The NFL returns. The national anthem plays without protest, and the Eagles squeak by the Falcons to kick off the new season" (NBC, 9/7).
