On Sunday, the undefeated Detroit Lions took the field against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons in what was arguably the most intriguing matchup of Week 3.
But it was what took place before the game that is getting a ton of attention.
During the singing of the national anthem, eight Detroit Lions players took a knee. It was the first time any Lions players have done so.
Lions players kneeling Cornelius Washington, A'Shawn Robinson, Akeem Spence, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Steve Longa, Ameer Abdullah, Whitehead, JRM
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 24, 2017
The rest of the Lions players, along with owner Martha Ford, locked arms during the anthem.
The protests have been happening since last season when Colin Kaepernick began doing it with the San Francisco 49ers.
But things really escalated when President Donald Trump threw in his two cents about NFL players kneeling for the anthem during a speech he gave on Friday.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He’s fired! He’s fired!” Trump said.
On Sunday morning, the Lions released a statement from their owner Martha Firestone Ford.
“Our game has long provided a powerful platform for dialogue and positive change in many communities throughout our nation.
“Thank primarily to our players, the NFL also has been a unifying force in our country and impactful change has and hopefully will continue to be the result of peaceful expression, done so in order to highlight social injustices of all kind.
“Negative and disrespectful comments suggesting otherwise are contrary to the founding principles of our country, and we do not support those comments or opinions.” Said Ford.
Click the article below to see the full story.
https://detroitsportsnation.com/detroit-lions-news/ddrysdale/breaking-detroit-lions-release-statement-following-president-trumps-comments/96038/
I was not at the game but watched the anthem. I did NOT see any Lions kneel but I did see Martha, her layers AND coach lock arms.
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