Two NFL Players Kneel for Anthem, Kaepernick and NFL Issue Statements
If the NFL thought it was going to put a damper on national anthem protests this season with its controversial answer to players kneeling, the league learned Thursday that the battle’s only just beginning.
In the first night of preseason games for most teams, the Miami Dolphins’ Kenny Stills took a knee, and he was joined in solidarity by fellow receiver Albert Wilson on his knees and by defensive end Robert Quinn, who stood with his fist raised in homage to the 1968 Black Power salute at the Mexico City Olympics.
Stills gave an explosive locker room speech after the game, specifically calling out the NFL’s continued refusal to offer Colin Kaepernick a contract with any of its 32 teams as the reason he decided to take a knee.
He also called Wilson an “angel” for kneeling with him so he wasn’t the only one protesting.
Even in this, his second season without taking an NFL snap under center, Kaepernick continues to spark debate whether he’s being deliberately blackballed or whether the simple fact of read-option quarterbacks falling out of favor has left his skill set with no takers at the pro level.
After all, Robert Griffin III is a read-option guy too, he’s not associated with national anthem protests, and while he’s been given the chance to make a comeback in Baltimore this preseason, he couldn’t even hook on as the third-string quarterback on a Cleveland Browns team that went 0-16.
On the other hand, Stills does have some semblance of a point, that teams have talked to Kaepernick and then “mysteriously” decided to go in a different direction, usually after he opens his mouth and outright tells them he’ll be a huge distraction.
As for Quinn and his 50-year-old gesture that still resonates as a message for and by African-Americans, he was very vocal about it in interviews.
“As a black man in this world, I’ve got an obligation to raise awareness,” Quinn said. “If no one wants to live in unity, that’s why we’re in the situation we’re in.”
Stills also says that he and Wilson didn’t coordinate their efforts in the anthem protest; each seemed willing enough to be the only one facing the potential wrath of the league and President Donald Trump on Twitter.
“It just happened that way,” Stills said. “When I’m on a knee, most of the time I’m praying, and thank God for having Albert next to me. Being a part of this protest hasn’t been easy. I thought I was going to be by myself out there. Today I had an angel with me with Albert being out there. I’m grateful he sees what’s happening, and he wants to do something about it as well.”
Kaepernick, of course, tweeted his own support for Stills and Wilson.
My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee. Albert Wilson @iThinkIsee12 joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers!✊🏾
📸 @footcandles#imwithkap #imwithereid #takeaknee pic.twitter.com/LimoadfUcW— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 10, 2018
Meanwhile, the league response so far has been measured and reserved considering that the NFL and the players’ union are still negotiating a bilateral agreement on a policy for national anthem protest.
“There has been no change in the NFL’s policy regarding the national anthem,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement issued Thursday night. “The anthem will continue to be played before every game, and all player and non-player personnel on the field at that time are expected to stand during the presentation of the flag and performance of the anthem. Personnel who do not wish to do so can choose to remain in the locker room.
“We remain committed to working with the players to identify solutions and to continue making progress on important social issues affecting our communities.”
Whether teams fine or even cut players who protest remains an open question. Owners are far from marching in lockstep on the level of latitude they want to allow their players in terms of expression of dissent on national television.
Elsewhere in preseason football Thursday night, four members of the Jacksonville Jaguars invoked the NFL’s new rule and chose to stay in the locker room when the anthem was played. Telvin Smith, Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon all waited until after the dying echoes of “and the home of the brave” to join their teams and take the field.
Smith gave the only detailed explanation among the four, and he seemed to walk the line the league has drawn on the issue.
“As a man I’ve got certain beliefs,” Smith said. “This is not going to become a distraction in Jacksonville. It’s not going to become a distraction for this team. I’ve got beliefs. I did what I did. Don’t know if it’s going to be every week. Can’t answer if it’s going to be every week. But as a man I’ve got to stand for something.
“I love my team. I’m dedicated to my teammates and that’s what we’re talking about. I did what I did. It was love. I hope people see it and respect it. I respect views. I love the military. Wore my Salute to Service cleats today. It’s love and we’re just going to move forward, and move forward in the preseason.”
Draw your own conclusions about the muddled message of anthem protest if one player who engaged in it immediately had to point out his shoes as explanation that it’s not about the flag or the country it represents.
Fournette, meanwhile, gave a tepid explanation of his own.
“Everybody has their own beliefs and certain things,” he said. “I’m not really trying to get into it. It’s just something I believe in. I’m not really trying to go into details about it. Just more focused on my teammates right now.”
And in one of those moments where league strictures were interpreted literally, three members of the Seahawks took the league’s directive that players could “remain in the locker room” to taking the field for pregame warmups, returning to the locker room for the anthem, and then coming back out after it was over, the way one excuses oneself from a religious ritual in a religion to which they don’t belong.
Seattle’s Duane Brown, one of the three players along with Branden Jackson and Quinton Jefferson to pull the be-right-back routine, said his decision to protest came as a result of his belief that the views of the protesters are not being listened to.
“We all met, and everyone was clear on my decision. Everyone understands and supports it,” Brown said. “We all have different realities in this country, and they understand mine and my perspective. We’re fine. We’re all on good terms.”
Whether or not that’s true with the Seahawks or the NFL is hardly relevant. The big question is whether the league will continue to hemorrhage fans over perceived disrespect for the country on the part of the athletes involved.
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