Seahawks Michael Bennett: 'Need A White Guy To Join The Fight'
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Several black NFL players have taken a knee during the national anthem but now some are calling for white players to join the fight for social injustice.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett told the Seattle Times, "You need a white guy to join the fight. The white guy is super important to the fight."
While there have been several white professional athletes who have committed to protesting during the national anthem, none of them are NFL players.
"For people to really see social injustices, there must be someone from the other side of the race who recognizes the problem, because a lot of times if just one race says there's a problem, nobody is realistic about it," Bennett said.
The Seahawks have chosen to lock arms during the national anthem in a sign of solidarity.
Bennett's comments come just a few days after his former teammate Marshawn Lynch appeared on the Conan O'Brien show talking about 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the anthem.
"I'd rather see him take a knee than stand up, put his hands up, and get murdered," Lynch said.
Following the murder of an unarmed black man in Oklahoma, Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster echoed those sentiments to 93.7 The Fan.
"It's a harsh reality that I've thought about. It's sad that I have to think about those things. And it just has to have more consequences to those types of situations that show up. It's unfair. If a person is in that situation were to feel threatened, then call more backup. Don't resort to pulling your weapon and shooting. I have two kids and a wife. I have family and friends that I'm here for also."
You can hear Fosters comments here.