Denver Broncos lineman Brandon Marshall’s decision to kneel in protest while the national anthem played ahead of the team’s 21-20 victory over the Panthers on Thursday has cost him an endorsement.
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Marshall followed the example of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to kneel during the anthem.
It is interesting that while Marshall explicitly said in his post-game comments that his protest was not aimed at the military or police he was dropped by a sponsor with very strong military connections.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”, Kaepernick said, as his actions triggered a firestorm.
Air Academy Federal Credit Union, which had been in a sponsorship deal with Marshall for the last five months, announced Friday it was ending its relationship with the Bronco.
The company that has severed ties with Marshall is the Air Academy Federal Credit Union.
“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. “For this reason, while we wish Brandon the best this season, we are politely terminating our agreement with him”. I support him on that. I feel good about it.
“Truth be to told, I’m not sure how long I’m going to do it”, Marshall said about not standing during the anthem. So Chuck Pagano understands that if a player chooses to take a knee for the national anthem, he has a right to do so. “I’m not here to respond to the hate”. People calling me the N-word and a lot of people calling me all kinds of derogatory terms. All the stuff he says on ‘Inside the National Football League, ‘ I get it. “So when we have an opinion and we speak it, I feel like a lot of people bash us for what we have to say”.
“And I won’t just take knees, and that’s why I made a decision to donate an undisclosed amount to different programs that support the vets, ’cause, you know, it’s tough for them in this country”.
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The Seahawks appear to be planning a team-wide showing of unity prior to Sunday’s matchup, which would be the first time this season for any team to make a public demonstration on the field prior to kickoff.
