NFL anthem protests continue prior to Week 16 games

More than a dozen NFL players protested during the national anthem prior to Sunday’s early games on the penultimate regular season weekend, The Associated Press reported.

Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters and Tennessee Titans receiver Rishard Matthews stayed off the field until the anthem ended prior to their teams’ respective games, as they have done all season. 

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Three other Titans players raised their fists after the national anthem ended.

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Robert Quinn raised his fist during the anthem prior to his team’s game. 

Miami Dolphins players Kenny Stills and Michael Thomas kneeled during the anthem prior to their game.

Several New Orleans Saints players took a knee before the anthem, but stood once the song began, the AP reported.

In the late afternoon games, at least 10 players for the Seattle Seahawks either sat or knelt during the anthem before the team’s game, as they have done for the last several weeks, according to the Dallas Morning News.

San Francisco 49ers players Eric Reid, Eli Harold, Marquise Goodwin and Louis Murphy all took a knee, continuing their season-long demonstration, the Houston Chronicle reported.

New York Giants player Olivier Vernon also took a knee during the anthem prior to his team’s game, which he has done throughout the season.

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.

In a letter to fans, Baltimore Ravens president Dick Cass blamed the protests for lower attendance than usual this season.

– This story was updated at 5:50 P.M. EST.