National Football League

Chiefs CB Marcus Peters raises fist during National Anthem

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:19 p.m. ET

Dieter Kurtenbach

While his Kansas City Chiefs teammates locked arms during the National Anthem on Sunday, Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters raised a fist while wearing a black glove, evoking memories of Tommie Smith and John Carlos' famous protest at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

Peters told reporters earlier this week that he stands with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who is kneeling during the National Anthem to protest the oppression of minorities in America, "100 percent." It stands to reason his protest is tied to the same cause.

Marcus Peters with raised fist during Anthem. Locked arms by #Chiefs. No one sat or knelt. #USA pic.twitter.com/zfHgrphj6l
— Jeff Rosen (@jeff_rosen88) September 11, 2016

Anthem protests, already highly controversial, carried extra weight this week, as Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The Chiefs released a statement on the team interlocking arms, but there was no mention of Peters' protest.