Monday, 2 October 2017

NFL stars continue protests and remain defiant


Once more, all eyes were on the sidelines for the second Sunday in the NFL following US President Donald Trump's remarks about players protesting during the US National Anthem.
In the latest round of matches 52 players chose to sit or kneel during the Anthem -- 30 of them from the San Francisco 49ers -- compared to the 180 who took the knee last week.
At London's Wembley Stadium, three Miami Dolphins players -- Kenny Stills, Julius Thomas and Michael Thomas -- knelt, while the New Orleans Saints' squad knelt and locked arms during the coin toss before standing for the anthem.
On the eve of the 14 Sunday matches, President Trump had urged all NFL players to stand for the National Anthem.



"Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem," Trump posted. "Respect our Flag and our Country!"
However, the show of defiance continued -- in London and on football fields in the US. Buffalo Bills players kneel during the National Anthem before their match against Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars knelt before "The Star-Spangled Banner" was played -- sections of fans booed both teams -- while two members of the Detroit Lions and six members of the Buffalo Bills knelt during the anthem.
Oakland Raiders' Marshawn Lynch wore a t-shirt with "Everybody vs. Trump" printed on the front as he entered the Sports Authority Field and, as he did last week, sat during the anthem while his teammates, who mostly knelt or sat last week, stood.
Ravens' opponents, the Denver Broncos, all stood but Brandon Marshall, who joined Colin Kaepernick in kneeling last season, raised a fist, as did Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod of the Philadelphia Eagles, reminiscent to John Carlos and Tommie Smith's Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

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