Almost no NFL players protested during the national anthem before Sunday’s early games as the league celebrated Veterans Day weekend by honoring the military.
The NFL Players Association had pleaded with players to observe a two-minute moment of silence before games to honor veterans.
Even players who had been protesting most of the season stood for the anthem this week, including the Seahawks Michael Bennett, who stood before Thursday night’s game.
The San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Reid and Marquise Goodwin were the only members of the team seen kneeling. No other protests immediately emerged.
The league has faced pressure amid new outcry over the protests on social media, such as a Facebook page called Boycott the NFL,which boasted more than 227,000 followers and asked football fans to skip watching Sunday’s games ‘in solidarity with veterans around the country.’
Players for the Indianapolis Colts were seen to be standing during the National Anthem before an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers
It was a similar scene in Arizona as members of the Seattle Seahawks bowed during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin knelt during the performance of the national anthem before an NFL football game against Giants in Santa Clara
The San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Reid and Marquise Goodwin were the only members of the team seen kneeling. No other protests immediately emerged
Other 49ers players stood proudly before the game started as requested by the NFL
Army soldiers from Fort Campbell, Kentucky ran onto the field with Tennessee Titans players before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Cincinnati Bengals
Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard took to the field with an Army soldier from Fort Campbell, Kentucky on a Salute to Service military appreciation day
At the Tennessee Titans game receiver Rishard Matthews walked onto the field holding hands with soldiers and stood with teammates for the anthem for the first time since President Donald Trump criticized players for protesting.
The NFL players’ union previously said its members planned to observe a moment of silence for veterans at Sunday’s games, while various teams planned other Veterans Day tributes,
The Atlanta Falcons said each of their players would be wearing the initials of a fallen service member on a special helmet decal.
Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protest movement last season.
New York Giants players lock arms during the performance of the national anthem for Salute to Service before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Giants
Army soldiers from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. brought flags onto the field before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green posed for a photo with an Army soldier
Army soldiers from Fort Campbell held a giant flag before the Titans Vs Bengals game
Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protest movement last season
Kaepernick was protesting inequality and police violence against minorities by sitting and kneeling during the national anthem.
The NFL remains engulfed in controversy as other players have continued the demonstrations this season.
The protests ended up catching on around the league as hundreds of players have sat, taken a knee, or raised a fist during the anthem.
The issue was thrust to front-page headlines in recent weeks after President Donald Trump called on the league to fire players who knelt during the anthem and should be removed from the field.
The president and other critics argued that the playing of the national anthem was the wrong time for protests, regardless of the reason, because the song represents U.S. national unity and respect for those who serve in the military.
The president’s comments ignited a fierce public debate, with defiant players kneeling while owners and league executives scrambled to figure out how to contain the controversy.
There have even been calls for boycotts of NFL games and merchandise.
Meanwhile, Kaepernick remains unsigned and has filed a complaint that team owners colluded against him because of the protests – aimed at police brutality against African-Americans and other issues.
Kaepernick previously led the 49ers to three NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl.
Sportsmen had begun sitting or kneeling for the national anthem ahead of games as this picture from earlier this season shows