10 more NFL players joined Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest this weekend

Colin Kaepernick’s subdued protest against the national anthem two weeks ago is sending ripples throughout the rest of the NFL. Sunday marked the league’s first week of the season, and 10 more players joined the San Francisco 49ers quarterback in solidarity with his message, joining Eric Reid, Jeremy Lane, and Brandon Marshall.

Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs

“I’m just stating that I’m black and I love being black,” Peters told Arrowhead Pride. “I’m supporting Colin [Kaepernick] and what he’s doing as far as raising awareness with the justice system. I didn’t mean anything by it. I locked arms with my teammates. I talked with coach and coach said it was OK if I wanted to express my thoughts and so I just expressed it.”

Devin McCourty and Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots

Speaking with reporters after the Patriots 23–21 win, McCourty said, “It’s all for the same cause: different social injustices. We’ve talked as players throughout the league trying to make change in our communities one by one using our platform, not just doing it on Sunday’s and game days.”

Bennett added that “we represent guys who’ve been…things that have been unjust. We also suppor…My dad served 13 years in the Navy. It’s just one of those things to let them know that this is something that we care about. This is something that we want to bring change in a positive way.”

Arian Foster, Kenny Stills, Michael Thomas, and Jelani Jenkins, Miami Dolphins

Foster, the Dolphins’ outspoken running back, spoke to a gaggle of reporters after the Dolphins 12–10 loss to the Seahawks.

“I make one thing clear that it’s not about the symbology that people are mad about, it’s about the message and it’s about who’s saying it—because if it’s about a knee that people are upset about, every Sunday people of faith take a knee to give thanks to their lord and savior,” Foster said.

Jurrell Casey, Wesley Woodyard, and Jason McCourty, Tennessee Titans

McCourty told ESPN they raised their fists after the conclusion of the national anthem, while holding their hands over their hearts while the song played.