Dolphins Receivers First 2 Players to Kneel in 2018 NFL Season
Protests by NFL players during the national anthem weren’t widespread on the first Sunday of the regular season as just two players, Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson of the Miami Dolphins, took a knee during the anthem.
Further, their teammate, defensive end Robert Quinn, raised a fist during the anthem. San Francisco 49ers receiver Marquise Goodwin did the same during the game against the Vikings.
The Associated Press counted fewer than 10 players who did something of protest during the anthem Sunday.
Two members each of the Denver Broncos — receiver Demaryius Thomas and Brandon Marshall — and Seattle Seahawks — linemen Duane Brown and Quinton Jefferson — stayed in the locker room during the anthem before the teams’ game in Denver.
My Brothers @kstills and @ithinkisee12 continue to show their unwavering strength by fighting for the oppressed! They have not backed down, even when attacked and intimidated. Their courage will move the world forward!
“Love is at the root of our resistance!”✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/2kSsX4s7EU
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 9, 2018
Stills and Wilson both knelt for the anthem throughout the preseason and they said they planned to do so in the regular season as well, reported USA Today.
Stills said he might stop if former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and former 49ers safety Eric Reid, who have filed collusion grievances against the league, were signed by an NFL team, USA Today reported.
Kaepernick tweeted his support for Stills and Wilson on Sunday.
“My Brothers @kstills and @ithinkisee12 continue to show their unwavering strength by fighting for the oppressed! They have not backed down, even when attacked and intimidated. Their courage will move the world forward!” Kaepernick tweeted. “Love is at the root of our resistance!”
The NFL instituted a policy in the offseason requiring players to stand for the anthem or remain in the locker room until it was over.
The NFL Players Association filed a grievance over it, saying the league can’t force players to stand. Subsequently, the league put the policy on hold as it figured out a new way forward.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the league would not implement a new anthem policy this season. In effect, there will be no policy this season.
NFL not expected to implement a new national anthem policy this season, per sources.https://t.co/uEyCOYWJIm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 9, 2018
The Dolphins were one of two teams that created their own policy for national anthem conduct, saying players who protested during the anthem would be subject to disciplinary action. But the team has not enforced it thus far as it waits for action from the NFL.
“We were asked to submit a form to the NFL on our overall discipline policy prior to the start of the rookie report date,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in July, reported Pro Football Talk.
“The one-line sentence related to the national anthem was a placeholder as we haven’t made a decision on what we would do, if anything, at that point. I’m pleased that the NFL and NFLPA are taking a pause to figure out a resolution on this issue. I am passionate about social justice, and through the Miami Dolphins and creation of RISE, will continue to use the unifying power of sports to improve race relations and drive social progress,” Ross added.
NFL ratings last night hit nearly a ten year low for an opening game. Were down another 8% off last year’s game.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 7, 2018
The issue of anthem protests appears to be continuing its impact on NFL viewership as ratings were down 8 percent for Thursday night’s season-opening telecast compared to last year, and 19 percent lower than the first game of 2016.
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