Alex Pantling/Getty(LONDON) — Players for both the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints took a knee on the field Sunday during the opening moments of a football game in London, one day after President Trump tweeted that it is “very important” that players stand up for the playing of the national anthem.
Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills, tight end Julius Thomas and safety Michael Thomas took a knee for the United States national anthem. Afterwards, along with every other player on the team, they stood up for the playing of the United Kingdom national anthem, God Save the Queen.
Across the field at the game at Wembley Stadium, the entire New Orleans Saints team took a knee for a moment, then rose as a group as The Star-Spangled Banner played.
The decision by the Saints appeared to follow the Dallas Cowboys’ lead. On Monday night, before “America’s Team” competed against the Arizona Cardinals, the players and their owner, Jerry Jones, displayed their own version of unity by kneeling on the field before rising as a group prior to the playing of the national anthem.
The move is a departure from the actions of dozens of NFL players who have deliberately been kneeling during the national anthem in defiance of Trump’s public scolding over the silent protests, which began over a week ago and haven’t waned.
The kneeling protests began in the preseason of 2016, when former San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem in response to police killings of black Americans. This season, numerous professional, college and high school athletes have picked up the silent protest.
The Saints and Dolphins’ protest took place during the fourth week of the football season, and a day after the president reinforced his stance that NFL players should “stand” while the national anthem is performed.
Trump tweeted on Saturday.
Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem. Respect our Flag and our Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
The imbroglio between the NFL and the president began on the evening of Sept. 22, when Trump was in Huntsville, Alabama, to stump for GOP senatorial candidate Luther Strange. In his off-the-cuff speech, Trump criticized any NFL player who decide to take a knee while the national anthem is performed.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say: ‘Get that son of a b—- off the field right now, out. He’s fired. He’s fired,” the president said to the crowd.
A day later, Trump extended his anti-protest message by taking shots at the league’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, tweeting that he is “trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country.”
Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country.Tell them to stand!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
Trump then attempted to threaten a boycott if players did not stand during the national anthem. The president wrote, “You will see change fast” — suggesting fans would boycott games.
Since, the fallout by the league has been widespread. Week three of the season saw hundreds of players, coaches and owners come out for “unity” by kneeling, locking arms in solidarity or remaining in the locker room during the national anthem.
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