A day of solidarity by NFL players had Green Bay Packers players sitting and locking arms during the national anthem before Sunday’s game.
Tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks and rookie corner Kevin King sat on the Packers’ bench while the anthem played before their home game against Cincinnati. Players for Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Tennessee stayed in their locker rooms during the song.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and two dozen other players locked arms — all reacting to President Donald Trump’s comments that NFL players who protest inequality and police brutality during the national anthem should be fired.
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Packers’ President Mark Murphy called Trump’s remarks “divisive” and said the team would support any players who “peacefully express themselves with the hope of change for good.”
On Instagram, Rodgers posted a photo with him, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams, with hashtags referring to unity, brotherhood, family, dedication, and love.
Trump later said locking arms was okay, but he said kneeling during the anthem was “not acceptable.”
In the game itself, the Packers ended up making comeback against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mason Crosby kicked a 27-yard field goal for the Packers in overtime after a 72-yard pass from Rodgers’ to Geronimo Allison. The Packers beat the Bengals 27-24.
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