<P> Kaepernick began sitting during the national anthem at the start of the 2016 NFL preseason . His actions went unnoticed for two weeks before he was questioned by the media . In the 49ers' final 2016 preseason game on September 1, 2016, after talking to Boyer, Kaepernick opted to kneel during the U.S. national anthem rather than sit as he did in their previous games . He explained his decision to switch was an attempt to show more respect to former and current U.S. military members while still protesting during the anthem . Reid joined Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem during the final preseason game . Seattle Seahawks player Jeremy Lane also did not stand for the anthem during his final preseason game the same day, stating, "It's something I plan to keep on doing until justice is being served ." </P> <P> In Week 1, eleven NFL players joined Kaepernick's protests . Denver Broncos player Brandon Marshall knelt during the national anthem prior to the start of the Kickoff game, which was broadcast on NBC . The act of kneeling as protest has been referred to as "taking a knee". Kaepernick and Marshall were teammates at the University of Nevada . On September 11, Kansas City Chiefs player Marcus Peters raised his fist while the rest of the team interlocked their arms showing solidarity . Two members of the New England Patriots, Devin McCourty and Martellus Bennett, raised their fists on Sunday Night Football . The entire Seattle Seahawks team stood and interlocked arms . Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Kenny Stills, and Michael Thomas of the Miami Dolphins all kneeled during the National Anthem . At the same time, a group of Jacksonville Jaguars players, led by cornerback Prince Amukamara, initially planned to join the protest but chose not to do so after photographs of Kaepernick wearing socks with a crude anti-police message during training camp were made public . </P> <P> On November 13, 2016, following the election of Donald Trump as the President - elect, Mike Evans wide - receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to sit during the national anthem . According to Sports Illustrated, Evans said, "If this happens, then America's not right right now . I said this a long time ago . When he ran, I thought it was a joke, and the joke continues . I'm not a political person that much, but I got common sense . And I know when something's not right ." However, his protest began the day following Veterans Day, so he received criticism . He quickly changed his method of protesting and joined his teammates during the following game against the Kansas City Chiefs . He apologized to veterans and other members of the military for his actions--citing that the timing of his protest was poor . "On the field, I'm going to continue to do what I do--play hard . I'm playing hard because I've got this right--freedom, because of the vets . I'm going to reach out to organizations, organizations that I feel are doing the best job to help the minority...women, LGBT, African Americans, Latinos, people that are in fear of Donald Trump and his presidency ." </P> <P> Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve became the first white football player to kneel or sit during the anthem on the team's August 21, 2017 preseason game against the New York Giants . </P>

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