Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall lost his second endorsement deal since kneeling during the national anthem before Thursday’s night regular-season opener against the Panthers.
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With these strong ties to the US military, the credit union said in a statement on Friday that Marshall’s move not to stand for the national anthem went against what it stands for.
Inspired by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Marshall chose to kneel during pre-game national anthem as a protest against police brutality and racism, BET reports. Marshall said his action is a protest of injustice against African-Americans and other minorities in American society, and it follows the similar action of San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The Broncos encourage players to stand for the national anthem, but don’t demand it.
Brandon Marshall says he has no regrets. While we respect Brandon’s right of expression, his actions are not a representation of our organisation and membership.
Foster continued: “Would I not stand up for the pledge [of allegiance]? Me? No”.
“I’m just against social injustice”, he said. “A lot of people are proud of me because stand up for what believe in”. “I’m going to be active in this”.
“Colin is my fraternity brother, my ex-teammate and I believe in what he’s trying to do”, Marshall said.
Marshall said he will kneel again for the anthem Sunday, when the Broncos host the Colts in a Week 2 matchup. “I fought for all your rights, so I support you”. “I’m not here to spread hate”, Marshall said, according to the Broncos’ transcripts.
After the matchup, Marshall said he finalized his decision after talking to his family regarding the protest.
“For me, I love the flag, I love the national anthem because it’s an emotional time for me because I’m so grateful I get to play on the football field”. He’s accountable, he always does his job – he did his job last night – and Brandon has the rights to his beliefs. It’s cool, because people can call me the N-word or cuss or at me or say they wish I’d break my neck all they want. “One of my end games is I will try to create a program that goes with that as well”.
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President Barack Obama praised Kaepernick’s “sincerity”, saying he had “generated more conversation around topics that need to be talked about”.
