DAN GREENSPAN, Associated Press
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett says he will sit during the national anthem this season to protest social injustice and segregation.
Bennett sat on the visiting bench during “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Sunday before the Seahawks’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, a decision he made prior to protests by white supremacists at the University of Virginia over the weekend. But what happened in Charlottesville, Virginia, including the death of a young woman when she was struck by a car deliberately driven into a group of counter-protesters on Saturday, solidified Bennett’s decision.
Seahawks Pro Bowl DE Michael Bennett remained seated for the national anthem today pic.twitter.com/gb4qa2TUW1
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) August 14, 2017
Bennett was at least the third prominent NFL player to protest during the anthem in the first full week of preseason games. Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch, a former teammate of Bennett’s in Seattle, also sat during the anthem. Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist, continuing his approach from last season following then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the anthem.
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