It’s been a few weeks now since the initial outrage over NFL players kneeling or putting up fists during the playing of the National Anthem in support of 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and what he is protesting.
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Steven Means (51), safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) and defensive back Ron Brooks (33) raise their arms during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, in Chicago.
Take a closer look at the photo while it’s expanded and you’ll see a guy actually holding the American Flag and on his phone at the same time.
“Malcolm, he’s a class act all the way”, Pederson said on Saturday. “Really, it’s just to continue to push forward the conversation about social injustice“.
The gesture from Jenkins and his teammates seems especially pointed given today’s headline-making revelations regarding the death of Terence Crutcher, an unarmed black man recently killed by a Tulsa police officer after his auto broke down on the side of the road.
If Malcolm Jenkins was able to talk to enough of his teammates and get them on his side, there could be a rather large protest during the national anthem this evening.
“I’m not anti-police, or anti-military, not at all, and I want to make sure people get that point”, Jenkins told PhillyVoice on Saturday. As Jim Cornelison, famed in Chicago for his rendition of the anthem before Blackhawks games, began to sing, the three raised their fists.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson said last week that he would join in a protest if the entire team made a decision to take part. As Jenkins put it, “the goal is also not to beat around the bush”.
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Eagles head coach Doug Pederson understands what some players wish to do with their beliefs and feelings, so he’s not stopping them from doing anything. If it comes down to making somebody feel uncomfortable by speaking the truth, then I’d always make you uncomfortable with the truth than make you feel comfortable with a lie. “If somebody gets upset, it’s probably because they’re not listening”.
