Dozens of NFL players kneel for US anthem, refusing to bow to pressure from Trump

Owners who have previously backed Trump declared their support for players’ right to protest, with a gesture that began as a protest over police treatment of African Americans

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Baltimore Ravens players, and former player Ray Lewis, second from right, kneel during the playing of the US national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, on Sunday. Photo: AP

Published: 8:30am, 25 Sep 2017Updated: 9:06pm, 25 Sep 2017

President Donald Trump’s criticism of players who kneel during the national anthem sparked angry protests around the National Football League on Sunday, as about 200 players sat, knelt or raised their fists in defiance.

A week ago, just six players protested. But most NFL players on Sunday locked arms with their teammates – some standing, others kneeling – in a show of solidarity. A handful of teams stayed off the field until after The Star-Spangled Banner to avoid the issue altogether.

As he prepared to board Air Force One to return to Washington from New Jersey, Trump said the players protesting the anthem were “very disrespectful to our country” and called again on owners to stop what he considers unpatriotic displays in America’s most popular sport.

Members of the Indianapolis Colts kneel for the national anthem before the start of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cleveland Browns in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday. Photo: AFP

“This has nothing to do with race,” Trump said. “This has to do with respect for our country.”

The president’s attack on athletes turned the anthems – usually sung during commercials – into must-watch television shown live by the networks and Yahoo!, which streamed the game in London. In some NFL stadiums, crowds booed or yelled at players to stand. There was also some applause.