After Donald Trump’s rant about the “sons of bitches” kneeling or protesting during the national anthem at NFL games, the pregame festivities ahead of the Week 3 slate of games became more interesting than the games themselves as teams, players, owners, coaches, and everyone else involved in the NFL tried to figure out how to properly respond.
In London, where the Jaguars and Ravens played, we got our first peek at how the teams would respond to Trump when both teams held massive protests on the sidelines, including Jags owner Shahid Khan, a Trump supporter, who spoke out against Trump’s comments afterwards.
As the 1 p.m. ET games neared kickoff, there was plenty of speculation about who would and wouldn’t be protesting (and whether a prominent white quarterback would be the first to join the protests). For Pittsburgh, they chose to stay in the locker room for the anthem rather than be on the sidelines. Mike Tomlin explained the decision, noting it was to keep any players from feeling uncomfortable or pressured to participate or not participate in a protest.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reveals to @JamieErdahl that the team will not be participating in today's national anthem. pic.twitter.com/5zihPWQsMv
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 24, 2017
National Anthem taking place in Chicago. Steelers sideline. On the other sideline Bears players standing in with arms locked hands on hearts pic.twitter.com/M7deTBF1Me
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) September 24, 2017
A number of players went through pregame warmups on Sunday morning wearing “#IMWITHKAP” t-shirts, lending support to Colin Kaepernick who remains out of the league after having started the kneeling during the anthem protests a year ago.
Dolphins' Jay Ajayi among players wearing T-shirts in support of Colin Kaepernick anthem protest before Sunday's Jets game. Via @aldiazphoto pic.twitter.com/MI2g3af7qc
— Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) September 24, 2017
In case you didn't know! pic.twitter.com/4tcw3D1LTm
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) September 24, 2017
Mike Tolbert wearing a t-shirt that says "everybody vs injustice" during #Bills pregame warmups @WKBW pic.twitter.com/sQmRZCbXLH
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 24, 2017
Nearly every team in the league, with the Steelers as the exception having stayed in the locker room, had players participating in some form of protest during the national anthem.
Large contingent of Broncos kneeling for the anthem. Von Miller included. pic.twitter.com/OBeAYKHgYP
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) September 24, 2017
Whole bunch of Patriots players are kneeling. There are some boos in the crowd pic.twitter.com/nLkc6TeQRh
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 24, 2017
Browns sideline for the national anthem pic.twitter.com/xm3AZVm4dy
— Scoops (@ejmaroun) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/_MarcusD2_/status/911998465579868164
Wilf ownership group locks arms with Vikings players for national anthem. pic.twitter.com/5CJeTj92K6
— Aj Mansour (@AjKFAN) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/911999211293560837
Falcons linking arms during national anthem. Arthur Blank between Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones. pic.twitter.com/jih2Ml4086
— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) September 24, 2017
The sights from the #Bills sideline during the national anthem moments ago at New Era Field: pic.twitter.com/6jORDf81mc
— Prescott Rossi (@PrescottRossi) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/feelz_/status/912002666133377025
NFL players link arms, some raise fists in Black Power salute 👊🏾 during national anthem at Giants-Eagles game. pic.twitter.com/xyGUFWDMwT
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/911998434697252864
https://twitter.com/HarryCFC_/status/911998939074666496
Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson kneeled during the National Anthem, while other Bucs linked arms. pic.twitter.com/cy2Vq5Fy1x
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) September 24, 2017
#TakeAKnee pic.twitter.com/EOxiuYOUhM
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) September 24, 2017
There were, of course, those in the stands that responded to the players’ protests with jeers and anger.
Loud round of boos from the Gillette crowd for the Patriots that did not stand for the national anthem. Heard a few people yell "Stand up!"
— Adam Kurkjian (@AdamKurkjian) September 24, 2017
