Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall took to a knee during the playing of the USA national anthem before Denver’s NFL season opener against Carolina.
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Add Brandon Marshall to the list of high profile athletes taking a knee during the national anthem.
Marshall said he respects the military, which fought for his freedoms, including the rights of free speech and peaceful protest. I can do what I want to do, so at the same time people can question my patriotism, but I have the utmost respect for this country, for this land and the military.
The Air Academy Federal Credit Union has terminated its sponsorship deal with Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall after he knelt during the national anthem before Thursday’s game against the Panthers. He played in nine games last season and had more turnovers than touchdowns. Black Sports Online reported trolls were so riled about their racism they addressed Brandon Marshall of the Jets instead. “I’m ready for that”. The company posted a statement to their Facebook page announcing the termination of the relationship.
Pregame protestation of the national anthem, “is the right platform”, Marshall asserted in a postgame interview at Mile High Stadium, where the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 21-20. I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don’t live in a flawless society. It’s nearly like they want us to only go with the grain. People are going to bash me on social media, but at the end of the day I’m going to go home and sleep peacefully knowing what I did was right.
The Air Academy Federal Credit Union promptly dropped Marshall as its spokesman.
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Kaepernick’s team-mate Eric Reid joined him in not standing during the team’s final pre-season game while Seattle Seahawks’ cornerback Jeremy Lane stayed seated ahead of a game with Oakland. Marshall says he knew that the protest would draw attention – but that didn’t stop him. Marshall said he wants to be active and he planned to donate money to various causes, including organizations that support veterans. He told USA Today after the game that “Brandon is a great kid….”
