More than a dozen NFL players protest during Week 15

More than a dozen players protested Sunday during the national anthem prior to Week 15’s games, according to The Associated Press.

Three NFL players protested Sunday during the early games. New York Giants defensive lineman Olivier Vernon knelt during the anthem prior to his team’s game. Miami Dolphins players Kenny Stills and Julius Thomas also took a knee prior to their team’s game.

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All three players have protested during the anthem all season.

A couple dozen New Orleans Saints players knelt before the anthem, but stood once the song began.

Prior to Sunday’s late afternoon games, ten Seattle Seahawks players sat or knelt during the anthem, one Los Angeles Rams player raised his fist and three San Francisco 49ers took a knee.

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch sat during the anthem prior to his team’s game on Sunday night. Lynch has sat for the anthem all season, and has drawn direct criticism from President Trump.

NFL players have protested social justice issues, such as police brutality, since the 2016 season, either kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem. The issue was brought into the spotlight again at the beginning of the season, when Trump suggested those taking a knee should be fired.

Players have been spotted protesting each week since Trump’s remarks, and the president has continued his criticism of the league and Commissioner Roger Goodell for allowing the protests to continue without punishment.

Goodell recently signed a five-year contract extension to remain in his role through 2024.

— This story was updated at 8:52 p.m.