Defiant NFL players continue to kneel for national anthem

NFL players have continued to kneel while others raised their fists in protest during the national anthem for a second straight week as they defied a fresh demand from President Donald Trump to stand.

A week after more than 100 players took to their knees during the The Star-Spangled Banner, smaller protests could be seen as the NFL games kicked off on Sunday.

The protests came as free-agent Colin Kaepernick – who is credited with starting the kneeling trend last year – was spotted strolling around New York on Sunday morning wearing a ‘Me Against The World’ t-shirt.

Three members of the Miami Dolphins team – Julius Thomas, Michael Thomas and Kenny Stills – were the first to take a knee this weekend

The entire New Orleans Saints roster briefly took a collective knee prior to the anthem (above). They then stood and linked arms as the anthem played

The entire New Orleans Saints roster briefly took a collective knee prior to the anthem (above). They then stood and linked arms as the anthem played

The protests came as free-agent Colin Kaepernick - who is credited with starting the kneeling trend last year - was spotted strolling around New York wearing a 'Me Against The World' t-shirt

The protests came as free-agent Colin Kaepernick – who is credited with starting the kneeling trend last year – was spotted strolling around New York wearing a ‘Me Against The World’ t-shirt

Three members of the Miami Dolphins team – Julius Thomas, Michael Thomas and Kenny Stills – were the first to take a knee during the anthem ahead of their team’s game against the New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium in London. 

The entire New Orleans Saints roster briefly took a collective knee prior to the anthem in what quarterback Drew Brees had called ‘a way to show respect to all’. The team then stood and many linked arms. 

A handful of Buffalo Bills players could be seen kneeling for the anthem ahead of their game against the Atlanta Falcons. 

Two Detroit Lions players also took to one knee for the anthem before the game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis.  

Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) and linebacker Steve Longa (54) both took a knee in Minneapolis

Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) and linebacker Steve Longa (54) both took a knee in Minneapolis

Multiple Cleveland Browns’ players held their fists in the air during the anthem 

Several Buffalo Bills players take a knee during the national anthem in Atlanta

Several Buffalo Bills players take a knee during the national anthem in Atlanta

The Jacksonville Jaguars also knelt as a team but then stood for the anthem in New Jersey against the New York Jets

The Jacksonville Jaguars also knelt as a team but then stood for the anthem in New Jersey against the New York Jets

The Los Angeles Rams also linked arms as one player, Robert Quinn, raised his fist in protest

The Los Angeles Rams also linked arms as one player, Robert Quinn, raised his fist in protest

But unlike last week, there appeared to be minimal to no protests in several other games, including the New England Patriots’ clash with the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys home game with the Los Angeles Rams. 

In Baltimore, Ravens fans booed their team as they took to one knee for a ‘moment of unity’ ahead of their game against Pittsburgh. Both the Ravens and the Steelers players stood for the anthem. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars also knelt as a team but then stood for the anthem.

Multiple members of the Cleveland Browns raised their fists as their opponents, the Cincinnati Bengals, stood linking arms in unity. 

The Los Angeles Rams also linked arms as one player, Robert Quinn, raised his fist in protest. 

The New England Patriots all stood with their left hands on the players next to them during the anthem

The New England Patriots all stood with their left hands on the players next to them during the anthem

Minnesota Vikings players lock arms during the playing of the national anthem in Minneapolis

Minnesota Vikings players lock arms during the playing of the national anthem in Minneapolis

Members of the Carolina Panthers stood along the sideline during the national anthem ahead of their match against the New England Patriots

Members of the Carolina Panthers stood along the sideline during the national anthem ahead of their match against the New England Patriots

Atlanta Falcons stand arm-and-arm during the national anthem before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills

Atlanta Falcons stand arm-and-arm during the national anthem before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills

On Saturday, Trump stoked the controversy over his call for players to be fired for protesting during the anthem. 

He tweeted: ‘Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem. Respect our Flag and our Country!’   

A week ago, coaches, support staff and even some owners joined team members in silent support by kneeling, linking arms or staying off the field during the anthem.

The players’ protests began last year when Colin Kaepernick, a San Francisco 49ers quarterback, protested police treatment of African-Americans by not standing during the anthem.

The protests culminated a week ago when scores of players, following calls by the president to fire protesting athletes, sat or knelt as the anthem was played. 

The players' protests began last year when Colin Kaepernick (center), a San Francisco 49ers quarterback, protested police treatment of African-Americans by not standing during the anthem 

The players’ protests began last year when Colin Kaepernick (center), a San Francisco 49ers quarterback, protested police treatment of African-Americans by not standing during the anthem 

 

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