Three NFL players protest before games on Veterans Day weekend
Three NFL players protested during the national anthem prior to Sunday’s games, according to multiple media reports.
The NFL Players Association unanimously passed a resolution earlier in the week calling for a moment of silence during Sunday’s games in honor of Veterans Day.
No players protested during the early games, but three players knelt during the national anthem at the game between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
49ers Eric Reid and Marquise Goodwin, along with Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon, took a knee during the anthem, according to the Guardian. All three players have been protesting throughout the season.
Other players who had previously knelt or raised their fists during the anthem stood this week. Tennessee Titans receiver Rishard Matthews walked onto the field holding hands with soldiers, then stood for the anthem, The Associated Press reported.
{mosads}Some organizations have previously boycotted NFL games in response to the protests. A Pittsburgh-based branch of the Veterans of Foreign Wars boycotted the Steelers game “to respect Veterans Day weekend.”
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 in September, when President Trump suggested those taking a knee should be fired.
Players had been spotted protesting each week since Trump’s remarks.
Note: This story was updated on Monday to reflect protests by Reid, Goodwin and Vernon.
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