NFL Pre-season Games: Players protest during the national anthem

Malcolm Jenkins

Many players of the National Football League have protested against the racial discrimination faced by the African Americans in the United States during the national anthem before the start of pre-season games.

The Miami Dolphins wide-receiver Robert Quinn and San Francisco 49ers’s wide-receiver Marquise Goodwin raised a fist during the national anthem, as did the Philadelphia Eagles’ Superbowl winning cornerback De’Vante Bausby and safety Malcolm Jenkins.

Teammates of Miami Dolphins’ Robert Quinn, wide-receiver Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson took a knee during the national anthem, to show their protest against the racial injustices by the United States police.

The National Football League says that its plans to fine the players who protest during the national anthem have been put on hold.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first to start the protest during the 2016 NFL season.

The players demonstrations of not standing and taking a knee or raising a fist or locking arms led to criticism from Donald Trump, the President of United States.

“I just think it’s important to keep this conversation going, that we don’t let it get stagnant,” said Jenkins after the Eagles’ 31-14 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Everybody’s kind of waiting to see what the league is going to do. It’s just my personal decision to keep these things at the forefront.”

The National Football League’s anthem policy have been put on hold for the time being as it plans to hold discussion with the NFL Players Association.

It had before ruled that the players who do not want to stand during the Star-Spangled Banner should not come out on the pitch during the anthem and should staying the locker room.

The governing body said: “The NFL has been engaged in constructive discussions with the NFL Players Association regarding the anthem and issues of equality and social justice that are of concern to many Americans.

“While those discussions continue, the NFL has agreed to delay implementing or enforcing any club work rules that could result in players being disciplined for their conduct during the performance of the anthem.”

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