Eagles player sits out national anthem

Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Michael Bennett sat during the national anthem before the Sunday game against the Minnesota Vikings, according to multiple reports.

Bennett sat on the bench during the anthem, continuing his participation in ongoing protests by NFL players against police brutality and racial inequality.

{mosads}No other players participated in protests on Sunday, including Malcolm Jenkins, who raised his fist during the anthem all of last season, according to NBC Sports.

Bennett during the season opener’s national anthem wandered around the bench but did not sit down. 

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid took a knee on Sunday during the national anthem, making him the first Panthers player to ever kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” according to reports.

President Trump and multiple other Republican lawmakers have taken on the NFL protests as a lightning-rod political and cultural issue, claiming the NFL demonstrators are unpatriotic and anti-police.

Trump has called out particular players for participating in the protests, suggesting that they should be cut from the league or even leave the country.

The players have pushed back on the attacks, insisting the demonstrations are intended to critique abuse of power.