Two New England Patriots raised their fists after the national anthem
One of the themes of Sunday’s NFL season openers continued into the night game between New England and Arizona, when Patriots players Devin McCourty and Martellus Bennett raised their right fists after the national anthem at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Devin McCourty & Martellus Bennett both with raised fists during national anthem. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/zCXjZXOHKV
— Trenni Kusnierek (@trenni) September 12, 2016
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters did the same -- only during the anthem -- before one of Sunday’s early games against the San Diego Chargers, and four Miami Dolphins kneeled with their hands on their hearts during the anthem before a late-afternoon game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The protests were inspired by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has been the subject of intense debate since he sat during one anthem and took a knee during another in the preseason. Kaepernick has been trying to draw attention to racial injustice in the United States with his protests.
In addition, the Chiefs and Seahawks players linked arms Sunday in a show of unity before the anthem, which was played as the NFL commemorated the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States.
