During at least two NFL pre-season games Thursday night, several players protested during the national anthem despite the league’s attempts to clamp down on the practice.
At the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson knelt, while defensive end Robert Quinn stood with his fist raised.
The players’ protests came just one day after the team submitted a nine-page disciplinary document to the NFL that discussed possible punishments for anthem protests, including fines or suspensions.
Photos courtesy of @CTJPhoto and David Santiago. pic.twitter.com/kbIprYQ7wZ
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 10, 2018
Colin Kaepernick later tweeted in support of Stills and Wilson.
My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee. Albert Wilson @iThinkIsee12 joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers!✊?
? @footcandles#imwithkap #imwithereid #takeaknee pic.twitter.com/LimoadfUcW— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 10, 2018
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Malcolm Jenkins and cornerback De’Vante Bausby both raised their fists.
ESPN reported that Telvin Smith, Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon of the Jacksonville Jaguars did not come out onto the field until after the national anthem was over. However, ESPN’s Michael DiRocco said it wasn’t clear if this was done in protest.
And according to USA Today, Seattle Seahawks players Quinton Jefferson, Branden Jackson and Duane Brown also did not come out onto the field until after the anthem played.
It was not immediately clear how many players from the 12 games played Thursday night protested during the anthem.
In May, the NFL banned kneeling during the national anthem, but said it will allow players to remain in the locker room in protest during the singing of the anthem. On July 10, the NFL Players Association filed a grievance, saying in a statement that the policy was “inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights.”