Thanks to Colin Kaepernick, the National Anthem has become the most-talked-about song in the sports world, and on Thursday, Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall continued the conversation.
dallasfever: Brandon Marshall linebacker for Denver took a knee during t… NBC Sunday Night … https://t.co/YwcITqBF76 pic.twitter.com/DXL7LxfzF7
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) September 9, 2016
Marshall, who was teammates with Kaepernick at the University of Nevada, was one of several players to join in the National Anthem protest over last few weeks.
The Broncos released this statement during the game:
“While we encourage members of our organization to stand during the national anthem, we understand and respect it being a personal decision.”
Following the game, his coach and teammates gave mixed responses.
On Brandon Marshall's anthem protest: "Brandon is a great kid" Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. "I believe in him. I'm proud of our players."
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) September 9, 2016
C.J. Anderson said he didn't know Brandon Marshall was going to kneel during the anthem. pic.twitter.com/7L1IYmNyl0
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 9, 2016
Marshall clarified his actions post game, saying he plans to continue to kneel during the National Anthem as the season progresses.
“The message is I’m against social injustice,” Marshall said, via NFL.com. “I’m not against the military or police or America at all. I’m against social injustice and I feel like this was the right thing to do.
“I feel like this is the right platform. This is our only platform to really be heard,” Marshall continued. “I feel like a lot of times people want us to just shut up and entertain them, shut up and play football. But we have voices as well. We’re actually educated individuals that went to college. So when we have an opinion and we speak it, I feel like a lot of people bash us for what we have to say.”