Why did NFL players kneel during the national anthem?

To call attention to police brutality and racial inequality, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during the national anthem before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 26, 2016. On the advice of former U.S. Army Green Beret Nate Boyer, Kaepernick switched to kneeling during the national anthem. The former Seattle Seahawks long-snapper suggested it was a better way to protest and still show respect for the American flag during the national anthem. It didn’t take long for other prominent players to kneel during the national anthem.

Kaepernick has not played the NFL since the 2016 season. He filed a collusion grievance against the NFL in October 2017, seven months after he became a free agent. He reached a settlement with the league on Feb. 15, 2019. Terms were not disclosed.

Which NFL players knelt?

During the last game of the 2016 preseason, San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid knelt alongside Colin Kaepernick in San Diego on “Military Appreciation Night.” The media picked up the story, and it became a major controversy. In a show of solidarity with Kaepernick, other players kneeled during the national anthem. Among the prominent players who protested were Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett, Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster and Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Marcus Peters. The protests continued throughout the 2017 season.

How did fans react to kneeling?

Many fans were vehemently against the players' protest. President Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy, saying, “You have to stand proudly for the national anthem, or you shouldn’t be playing.” Those who opposed the protest said players disrespected the American flag, the nation and those who died serving the country in the military. Perhaps as a result of the anthem protests, NFL ratings dropped in 2017, with many citing the national anthem controversy as the reason for shunning football. A UBS Securities study showed that of the people who watched less football in 2017, half of them did so because of their disapproval with NFL players kneeling during the national anthem.

Did the NFL act?

On May 23, 2018, NFL owners approved a policy requiring players to stand during the national anthem. If a player did not stand, the league could fine the team or a team could fine the player. Players who did not wish to stand had the option to remain in the locker room. In July 2018, the league and the NFL Players Association issued a joint statement stating, "No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks" while the sides held discussions. In 2018, few players protested by kneeling during the national anthem, but the issue continues to be hotly debated.