Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall became the latest athlete to kneel during the US national anthem in protest for social justice before his team’s game versus the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.
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In response, the Denver Broncos issued a statement clarifying that the players are always encouraged to stand for the anthem, but that it is “a personal decision”.
Typically, players stand at attention during the Star Spangled Banner, however behind San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, several have begun taking a stand against what they call racial injustices. During the National Anthem Bronco’s wide receiver, Brandon Marshall was seen kneeling. “I’m not against the police or America”.
“The message is I’m against social injustice”, Marshall said.
Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) kneels during the national anthem before the game Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. “He told me to believe in my values and those types of things in life and obviously I believe in our country and the national anthem very strongly”.
Marshall, who is active in community work, took a knee just before the national anthem and remained in that stance until the song was completed.
After the horrific murder-suicide, Slate writer Justin Peters combed through the NFL’s records and uncovered a startling statistic: Of the league’s 32 teams, 21 of them had a player on the roster who had been arrested for domestic violence or sexual assault at the time. “I definitely see what he’s saying”.
Marshall said he didn’t discuss his action before the game with any member of the Broncos except tight end Virgil Green and decided Sunday to do it. Marshall will “absolutely” continue to do it, he said.
Kaepernick is believed to do it as a protest against the way African-Americans and other minorities are treated in American society. Marshall says he knew that the protest would draw attention – but that didn’t stop him.
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“Brandon is a great kid”, Kubiak said.
