Following suit, linebacker, Brandon Marshall, knelt during Broncos’ season opener against the Panthers.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first to stage the protest, first sitting “While we encourage members of our organization to stand during the National Anthem, we understand and respect it being a personal decision”, the Broncos said in a statement in response to Marshall’s action.
Kaepernick did not stand for the national anthem all preseason and his protest became public after he sat before a home game against Green Bay on August 26.
Marshall is not been the only American athlete to kneel during the national anthem in solidarity with Kaepernick.
Asked by The Associated Press about Kaepernick’s decision not to stand before games when the national anthem is played, Goodell said in an email Wednesday: “I don’t necessarily agree with what he is doing”.
“I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don’t live in a ideal society”, Goodell added. “I personally believe very strongly in that”. With that comes responsibility to use those platforms properly. It’s nearly like they want us to only go with the grain.
Goodell added that National Football League players have a visible platform for their viewpoints.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback said after the August 26 game against the Green Bay Packers.
His stance has gained momentum with 49ers teammate Eric Reid, Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane and women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe all kneeling before recent games.
Kaepernick said he was trying to bring attention to “racism and police brutality”.
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Kaepernick led San Francisco to a Super Bowl berth in 2013 but has since been demoted to backup.
