For the past year, anthem protests have been a hot button of discussion ever since Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem.
Everyone and their mother has an opinion on whether the protests are disrespecting the flag or if players are within their rights to voice their concerns for social issues in this country.
The debate caught fire in the last few months when President Trump attacked Kaepernick and several protesters when he called them “sons of bitches” for “disrespecting the troops” by kneeling during the anthem.
It appears that even NFL replay assistants have hot takes on national anthem protests. During today’s Jets-Bucs game, the guy holding up the tablet for the the referee had a sign on his head that read “I will always stand”.
Now the guy holding the replay monitor is making political statements too??? pic.twitter.com/eI9vQNHU0B
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) November 13, 2017
Only a few players during the Sunday games protested the national anthem during Veteran’s day weekend according to ESPN.
Via ESPN.
Only a handful of NFL players, far fewer than in recent weeks, protested during the national anthem before Sunday’s early games as the league celebrated Veterans Day weekend by honoring the military.
Even players who have been protesting most of the season stood for the anthem this week, including the Seahawks’ Michael Bennett, who stood before Thursday night’s game. Titans receiver Rishard Matthews walked onto the field holding hands with soldiers and stood with teammates for the anthem for the first time since President Donald Trump criticized players for protesting.
Before today’s games the NFLPA asked all players to observe a two-minute moment of silence before games to honor veterans and many seemed to oblige.