Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall says standing up for social justice by kneeling during the national anthem before Denver’s season opener on Thursday was worth it even though it cost him an endorsement deal.
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At a pre-season game in August, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kaepernick chose to remain seated while the national anthem was played.
In response to a fan burning his jersey at the Broncos’ facilities, Marshall said: “It’s an evil world”.
After the game, he told reporters he had knelt because “I’m against social injustice”.
Fellow NFL player Colin Kaepernickfirst sparked wide attention for his decision to sit during the anthem in a protest of police brutality last month.
In a statement, CenturyLink acknowledged its “respect” for Marshall and “the right of individuals to express their beliefs”. “For this reason, while we wish Brandon the best this season, we are politely terminating our agreement with him”.
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. It’s nearly like they want us to only go with the grain. But I know my loved ones, the people that love me and care about me, they’re going to stand behind me, and that’s all that matters to me. I support him.Kaep, he’s using his platform how he wants to use it, to reach the masses.
On the prospect of some teammates opting to kneel during the anthem in future games, Marshall said: “It’s cool if they do, I respect them for that, and it’s cool if they don’t”.
But that’s not all, Marshall said, “I had a lot of negative, a lot of racist comments calling me the “n” word, derogatory words”.
“Marshall added”, Let’s come up with a strategy for all these games”.
“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”, Marshall concluded. I personally believe very strongly in that.
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The National Women’s Soccer League’s Washington Spirit played the U.S. anthem before Seattle’s Rapinoe and other players took the field on Wednesday to avoid giving her another chance to kneel.
