After the harsh words that President Donald Trump had for NFL players and other sports stars who have protested during the National Anthem, the league responded in a big way. Numerous owners throughout the NFL issued statements and memos throughout the week, but the real messages came from players and coaches on Sunday. Here is a full collection of all those who protested by sitting, taking a knee, or banding together during the "Star-Spangled Banner."
This past week, the president rescinded an offer to the Golden State Warriors which would have had the NBA Champions visit the White House. As reported by CNN, Trump also said that the NFL should fire the "son of a b**ch" anthem protestors, and all of that has started complete chaos.
Once those words were uttered, the players of the NFL decided to do something about it and many of them spoke out on social media, but they felt more was needed. It all started on Sunday with the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the Baltimore Ravens in London as the Jags locked arms and the Ravens knelt, but it was far from over.
As the rest of the games started, there were many clear-cut protests which could be seen and even one that was totally invisible, but that was their point.
Photo: Several #Saints sit for National Anthem in Carolina pic.twitter.com/yZUugpjo1o— Michael DeMocker (@MichaelDeMocker) September 24, 2017
— Michael DeMocker (@MichaelDeMocker) September 24, 2017
Jaguars owner Shad Khan released a statement after standing with players during the national anthem Sunday. pic.twitter.com/neIfkZD2oP— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 24, 2017
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 24, 2017
27 players and staff from the Baltimore Ravens refuse to stand for the National Anthem pic.twitter.com/r0z4CDbk1q— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) September 24, 2017
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) September 24, 2017
Alejandro Villanueva was the lone Steelers player to come out during the national anthem pic.twitter.com/Jl7id3EGnk— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017
#Patriots for National Anthem today #WBZ pic.twitter.com/7ZkGn0Ns5o— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) September 24, 2017
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) September 24, 2017
Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
#Vikings owners/players arm in arm for the National Anthem. @kare11 pic.twitter.com/clXazIjfCf— Brandon McCauley (@bpmccauley) September 24, 2017
— Brandon McCauley (@bpmccauley) September 24, 2017
Falcons linking arms during national anthem. Arthur Blank between Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones. pic.twitter.com/jih2Ml4086— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) September 24, 2017
— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) September 24, 2017
#Lions owner Martha Ford locks arms with coach Jim Caldwell and Glover Quin during the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/Lx91uPLbpE— Freep Sports (@freepsports) September 24, 2017
— Freep Sports (@freepsports) September 24, 2017
Falcons-Lions national anthem singer Rico Lavelle took a knee and raised his fist at the end of his performance: pic.twitter.com/JwrTP94ySD— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017
An overwhelming majority of the Denver @Broncos took a knee today during the national anthem. ✊ #TakeTheKnee????: Getty pic.twitter.com/8R1v7Y4hJ8
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 24, 2017
????: Getty pic.twitter.com/8R1v7Y4hJ8
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 24, 2017
Marcell Dareus was very emotional as the anthem came to an end #Bills @WKBW pic.twitter.com/jEzOnoPcHf— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 24, 2017
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 24, 2017
Bears, Steelers respond to President Trump's directives on player protests during the national anthem. https://t.co/FGEmwGTJyK via @CEmma670 pic.twitter.com/aZYHjywNOU— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) September 24, 2017
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) September 24, 2017
Several #Browns players lock arms, kneel for anthem pic.twitter.com/PhFBLDnm0d— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 24, 2017
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 24, 2017
Colts lock arms for the national anthem. Fans loudly boo them. pic.twitter.com/NNzmhIRApL— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) September 24, 2017
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) September 24, 2017
Giants players support their kneeling teammates during anthem. pic.twitter.com/h2u9kILccR— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) September 24, 2017
— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) September 24, 2017
Eagles standing with arms locked during the Anthem, owner Jeff Lurie on the field. Some Giants are kneeling; arms also locked. pic.twitter.com/kYs7XF7cS3— Tom Namako (@TomNamako) September 24, 2017
— Tom Namako (@TomNamako) September 24, 2017
Acting Jets owner and brother of Trump ambassador joins players on sidelines during anthem https://t.co/v9xmUispKb pic.twitter.com/aGBas0TYaZ— The Hill (@thehill) September 24, 2017
— The Hill (@thehill) September 24, 2017
Scenes from the Miami Dolphins sideline during the national anthem... pic.twitter.com/KQbIR0Nert— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) September 24, 2017
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) September 24, 2017
All #Texans stand for anthem. Some Patriots kneel and are booed briefly. pic.twitter.com/zMeCLI4d7u— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) September 24, 2017
— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) September 24, 2017
[Featured Image by Alex Pantling/Getty Images]
