Trump Wants Knee-Taking, Fist-Raising, Back-Turning, Anthem-Skipping NFL Players 'Suspended Without Pay'

Benjamin Gill
08-10-2018

Share This article

A dozen NFL preseason games kicked off Thursday night along with multiple national anthem protests by the players.

Several players took a knee, raised fists or did not take to the field while the national anthem was played.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tim Williams did not stand with his team, choosing to stand alone in front of the bench with his back toward the field.

Miami Dolphins receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson kneeled behind teammates, and defensive end Robert Quinn stood and raised his right fist.

"As a black man in this world, I've got an obligation to raise awareness," Quinn said. "If no one wants to live in unity, that's why we're in the situation we're in."

In Seattle, three Seahawks players ran into the team's locker room prior to the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." And in Jacksonville, four Jaguars remained in the locker room during the national anthem.

Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and cornerback De'Vante Bausby raised their fists during the anthem. And defensive end Michael Bennett walked out of the tunnel during the anthem and walked toward the bench while it played.

"I think it's important to utilize the platform as we can because for whatever reason, we have framed this demonstration in a negative light, and often players have to defend why we feel the need to fight for everyday Americans, and in actuality we're doing the right thing," Jenkins said.

Jenkins also tweeted before the game saying, "Before we enjoy this game lets take some time to ponder that more than 60% of the prison population are people of color. The NFL is made up of 70% African Americans. What you witness on the field does not represent the reality of everyday America. We are the anomalies..."

Meanwhile, President Trump held a prison reform roundtable on Thursday to look for ways to fix the system. More about that here.

But the president also took to Twitter to voice his opposition once again to these NFL national anthem protests.

The NFL said it won't be punishing the players who took part in the protests on Thursday. The league has tabled their new policy regarding conduct and punishment surrounding the anthem.

But plenty of Americans are still upset that NFL players are choosing the national anthem as their means of protest, saying they'll be boycotting the NFL.

Share This article

About The Author

Ben Gill Producer Headshot
Benjamin
Gill

Benjamin Gill oversees all web content as the Multimedia Manager for CBNNews.com. He has been on staff with CBN News as an internet and broadcast producer since 2000. You can follow him on Twitter @BenGillCBN. Here are some of his commentaries and articles: Pursuing Truth in a World of Fake News: Reflections of a Christian Journalist After 20 Years with CBN News The Breaking Point: Pandemic Pain, Persistent Prayer, and God's Bigger Picture Plagues, the End Times, and Trusting in God's Protection: 'You Will Hear Us and Rescue Us' 12 Powerful Bible Verses to Build Your Faith and Fight Fear
More