NFL Players Take a Kneel During the National Anthem

Patriots fans are divided over the NFL's controversial protests this weekend, but their Hall of Fame quarterback was unwavering in support of his teammates.
President Trump's comments about NFL players that take a knee during the national anthem set off a firestorm of protests across the league yesterday.  Trump recommended that team owners fire players who kneel.  “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’”.

This led to about 150 NFL players kneeling yesterday during the national anthem, while others players opted to lock arms with their coaches and team owners. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans chose to not take the field for the national anthem.

Patriots fans roundly booed their own team as 17 players took a knee as the Star Spangled Banner played out of the loud speakers.

“Yeah, I mean I certainly disagree with what he (President Trump) said. I thought it was just divisive.  Like I said, I just want to support my teammates. I am never one that says, ‘Oh, that’s wrong’, or ‘that’s right’, but I do believe in what I believe in. I believe in bringing people together and respect and love and trust. Those are the values that my parents instilled in me. That’s how I try to live every day. I have been blessed to be in a locker room with guys all over the United States over the course of my career. Some of my great friends are from Florida, Virginia, New York, Montana, Colorado, Texas.  The one thing about football is it brings so many guys together — guys you would never have the opportunity to be around. Whether it was in college, and all the way into the pros. We’re all different, we’re all unique, and that’s what makes us all special."  --Tom Brady on WEEI

Additional reportiong by Abigail Pelissier