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More NFL Players Join Colin Kaepernick in National Anthem Protest

HeadlineSep 09, 2016

And more pro football players are joining a protest against racial injustice and police brutality. The protest began in August, when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem ahead of a preseason game, saying, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” On Thursday, Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall became the latest to join, when he took a knee during the singing of the national anthem ahead of a victory over the Carolina Panthers. He told Denver station CBS4 he immediately received hateful comments on social media.

Brandon Marshall: “I’m against social injustice. You know, I’m not against the military, the police or America at all. You know, I’m against social injustice. And I feel like this was the right thing to do. I feel like this is the right platform. This is our only platform, you know, to really be heard. And I feel like a lot of times people want us to just shut up and entertain them, you know, shut up and play football. But we have voices, as well. We’re actually educated individuals that went to college. So, when we have an opinion and we speak it, I feel like a lot of people bash us for what we have to say.”

Other athletes, including women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe, have joined the protest. And members of the Seattle Seahawks say the entire team may join in a protest ahead of their game against Miami on Sunday.

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