Former American Idol singer Jessica Sanchez took a knee as soon as she was finished singing the national anthem at the NFL game between the Chargers and Raiders on Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who was runner-up on the 11th season of American Idol, knelt as she finished singing ‘home of the brave’ in Oakland, California.
Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch was the only player to sit during the anthem.
Sanchez says Lynch told her following her protest: ‘You did your thing girl.’
Former American Idol singer Jessica Sanchez took a knee as soon as she was finished singing the national anthem at the NFL game between the Chargers and Raiders on Sunday
Russell Okung of the Chargers was spotted raising his fist.
The singer said she supported players protesting police brutality and racial inequality and was upset that President Donald Trump has criticized players who have protested.
‘I’m 100 percent for the message, as far as what the message has been behind everybody kneeling,’ she said.
‘I still show my respect to the veterans, but I do disagree with what’s going on in the office.’
In Landover, Maryland, a half-dozen San Francisco players knelt in their uniforms during the anthem before a 26-24 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Russell Okung of the Chargers was spotted raising his fist during the national anthem Sunday
The 22-year-old, who was runner-up on the 11th season of American Idol (above), knelt as she finished singing ‘home of the brave’ in Oakland, California
About half as many 49ers as took a knee last week, prompting Vice President Mike Pence to then leave their game.
Safety Eric Reid, who was one of the kneelers both weeks and has been a long-time supporter of former teammate Colin Kaepernick, said he thought miscommunication led to the reduced number of players taking part on Sunday.
Reid said he initially wanted to have all players stand this week because of the game’s proximity to the nation’s capital and ‘to finally put to bed the accusations that we don’t respect the military.’
When he then tried to change course and have folks kneel, he wasn’t able to spread the word well enough.
He said it is clear to him that Kaepernick, who is currently unemployed, is ‘being blackballed. I think all the stats prove that he’s an NFL-worthy quarterback.’
In Landover, Maryland, a half-dozen San Francisco players knelt in their uniforms during the anthem before a 26-24 loss to the Washington Redskins