DENVER – Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, a college teammate of Colin Kaepernick, took to a knee during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before Denver’s National Football League season opener against Carolina.
Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem during San Francisco’s preseason games, explaining it was to protest racial oppression and police brutality in the United States.
Marshall sounded a similar theme after Denver’s 21-20 win.
“I’m not against the military, I’m not against the police, or America,” he said. “I’m against social injustice.”
READ MORE: Obama says Colin Kaepernick ‘exercising constitutional right’ with protests
Marshall told a media scrum that he was “ready” for the criticism he would receive for kneeling.
“I briefly looked at my phone and I already see a lot of hate comments,” he said. “I knew what territory it came with and I decided to do it.”
During the singing of the anthem before an Aug. 20 preseason game, Marshall stood with his hand over his heart.
Prior to Thursday’s game, Marshall made no mention of his plans, but shortly after the large American flag was unfurled, the fifth-year linebacker out of Nevada went to the end of a long row of Broncos and went down on one knee.
“I’m a man of faith, so I prayed about it long and hard, and I felt like that was the right thing to do.”
Marshall also added he would be donating an “undisclosed amount” of money to charity, something Kaepernick has also pledged.
“I will also donate to programs for veterans and different things like that,” Marshall said. “I’m going to be active in this.”
Kaepernick’s also said he would donate profits from sales of his San Francisco 49ers jersey, after it suddenly became the seventh best seller in the NFL, according to DICK’s Sporting Goods jersey report.
READ MORE: Colin Kaepernick’s anthem protest prompts backlash from NFL greats
Other athletes have come out in support of Kaepernick in recent days.
Before a Seattle Seahawks’ Aug. 1 preseason game, cornerback Jeremy Lane sat on the bench while the rest of his teammates stood during the anthem. Lane said he did not tell any of his teammates of his plans before the game and that he will continue to do it until he feels “justice has been served.”
READ MORE: Megan Rapinoe stymied in bid for second US anthem nod to Colin Kaepernick
The demonstration has spread to other sports. Megan Rapinoe, of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Seattle Reign, kneeled during the anthem before a match on Aug. 4.
In a game just three days later, Rapinoe’s earlier protest forced an opposing team to play the anthem early, before players exited the dressing rooms to take the pitch.
“We decided to play the anthem in our stadium ahead of schedule rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent,” the Washington Spirit said in a statement.
NFL’s Commissioner Roger Goodell has also been critical of players choosing to kneel during the national anthem, but recognizes it’s their right to protest.
Goodell said in an email to The Associated Press that he didn’t “necessarily agree” with what Kaepernick and other players were doing.
“I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don’t live in a perfect society,” Goodell added. “On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL. I personally believe very strongly in that.”
— With files from The Associated Press
Comments