Broncos' Brandon Marshall Kneels During National Anthem
DENVER (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Denver Broncos player is the latest to join Colin Kaepernick's protest of the national anthem.
Cameras caught linebacker Brandon Marshall kneeling as singer Andra Day performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the opening game of the NFL season at Mile High Stadium in Denver Thursday night. He was the only player of the Broncos to kneel during the anthem. It did not appear any of the Carolina Panthers players took part in the protest.
Kaepernick's San Francisco 49ers teammate Eric Reid and Seattle Seahawks' Jeremy Lane also did not stand for the anthem during the preseason. Women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe also knelt before a game during the anthem.
Marshall was teammates with Kaepernick at the University of Nevada for three seasons. According to the New York Daily News' Shaun King, the two were also fraternity brothers.
The Broncos said in a statement, "While we encourage members of our organization to stand during the National Anthem, we understand and respect it being a personal decision."
Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin posted on Twitter Thursday that the team will take part in a "pregame demonstration of unity" to honor the United States before their game on Sept. 11.
As for Marshall, many took to social media to applaud or criticize the Broncos player for his protest.
Kaepernick has cited racial injustice and police brutality among the many reasons for his actions and said he plans to continue to not stand for the anthem during the regular season.
Kaepernick said Wednesday on his Instagram account that he will donate all the money he receives from his jersey sales to charity to thank fans for their support. He said he's pleased his 49ers jersey has become the top seller in the NFL since his protest became public.
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