NFL Players Protest National Anthem on 9/11

PJ Media | 3:45 AM on September 12, 2016

From left, Miami Dolphins' Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills, kneel during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Several NFL players followed in the footsteps of San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick and protested the National Anthem on 9/11, either kneeling during the song, raising their fists, or interlocking arms with their teammates.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raised his fist, four Miami Dolphins players knelt, and players from several other teams interlocked arms or raised their fists as an apparent sign of unity with Kaepernick, who began his protest last month during the NFL’s preseason over what he said was the oppression of “black people and people of color.”

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raises his fist in the air during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. (John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star via AP)

Peters said Kaepernick’s protest is a “great cause.”

Peters — who is black and told the press Friday that he salutes Kaepernick, calling it “a great cause” — raised his fist in protest at the start of a home game against the San Diego Chargers today. As he did, many of his teammates locked arms in an apparent show of solidarity.

Meanwhile, in Seattle, Miami Dolphins players Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, Jelani Jenkins and Kenny Stills knelt during the national anthem at the start of their game against the Seahawks.

From left, Miami Dolphins’ Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills, kneel during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

“He spoke up about something he felt he needed to speak up about,” Peters said of Kaepernick. “I salute him for that. I’m going to back him up.”

Kaepernick and the 49ers will play on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams. Coach Chip Kelly said Kaepernick will serve as a backup quarterback for the game.

He is expected to continue his “protest” and refuse to stand during the National Anthem at the game.