Players and Teams Who Protested During National Anthem In Week 4

A list of all the players and teams that protested the national anthem during Week 4 of the NFL season.

Players and teams throughout the NFL continued to protest during the national anthem before games in Week 4 of the season.

The protests especially took off in Week 3 after President Donald Trump made comments about how players should stand during The Star-Spangled Banner as a sign of respect. He fired off a tweet on Saturday in hopes that more players stand during the anthem on Sunday. 

“Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem," Trump tweeted. "Respect our Flag and our Country!”

The national anthem protests started last season when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the song to raise awareness for the racial injustice in America. Kaepernick opted out of his contract in March and remains a free agent.

Here is a list of players and teams that protested during the national anthem:

Saints vs. Dolphins

The entire New Orleans Saints team took a knee in solidarity before the national anthem played at Wembley Stadium in London. The players stood in unison for the playing of the anthem.

Kenny Stills, Michael Thomas and Julius Thomas of the Miami Dolphins took a knee during the performance.

Steelers vs. Ravens

The Ravens took a knee before the national anthem and were booed by fans. No Steelers or Ravens players took a knee during the anthem.

Titans vs. Texans

Texans players linked arms during the national anthem but all stood together.

Rishard Matthews of the Titans remained in the locker room rather than stand with his teammates during the anthem. 

Panthers vs. Patriots

The Patriots stood at the sideline at attention several minutes before the national anthem and then put their hands over their hearts and each other. 

Lions vs. Vikings

Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Steve Longa kneeled during the national anthem. All other Detroit players locked arms. 

Lions linebackers Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Steve Longa were the two players kneeling for anthem at DET-MIN, if you're keeping track. pic.twitter.com/xus09zfH7Y

— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) October 1, 2017

Jaguars vs. Jets

The Jets locked arms for the national anthem. No player kneeled. Every Jaguars player took a knee before the playing of the national anthem but stood during the song.

Bills vs. Falcons

Kaelin Clay, Cedric Thornton, Mike Tolbert, Shareece Wright, Taiwan Jones and Jerel Worthy were the Bills players who knelt during the national anthem. The rest of the players stood with their arms locked. 

Only about 6 members of the #Bills chose to take a knee during this week's National Anthem. The rest stood with their arms locked. pic.twitter.com/FWCGUAg0gd

— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) October 1, 2017

Last week, Grady Jarrett and Dontari Poe took a knee during the national anthem but stood during this week. No Falcons players were kneeling during the national anthem. Most of them on the sidelines linked arms. 

Rams vs. Cowboys

All Rams and Cowboys players stood during the national anthem. Dallas remains one of six teams not to kneel, sit or raise a fist during the national anthem. Rams outside linebacker Robert Quinn raised his fist. Cowboys defensive end Damontre Moore raised his fist as the anthem ended.

49ers vs. Cardinals

Half of the 49ers team kneeled with general manager John Lynch and CEO Jed York during the national anthem. The team issued the following statement after the demonstration:

"At its purest level, football is a unifier of people from all walks of life, different socio-economic backgrounds, every corner of this country and around the world. As players, coaches, ownership and staff, we are privileged to work in an environment that is a tremendous example of how people can come together for a common goal. We not only put our differences aside, but we also use them to achieve that common goal by challenging each other to be better - both in our professional and personal lives.

For more than a year, members of our team have protested the oppression and social injustices still present in our society. While some may not have taken a knee or raised a fist, we have all shared the desire to influence positive change. Today, our team chose to publicly display our unity in a new way and, in turn, urge others do the same. Our demonstration is simply a representation of how we hope our country can also come together by putting differences aside and solving its problems.

As the majority of us have done throughout our careers, we use our platform as members of a NFL team, and our right to freedom of expression, to speak up for those whose voice is not heard. It is important that we continue to emphasize that despite our different backgrounds and beliefs, we still love each other and are truly a brotherhood. Our gesture today was an intentional effort to demonstrate that. Make no mistake, we love this great country and have tremendous respect for our military and veterans who have sacrificed so much for our right to express ourselves freely. We passionately want what is best for this country and all its citizens.

On behalf of the San Francisco 49ers organization, we urge our fellow citizens to embrace your differences, find strength in them, and come together for the good of all."

All of the Cardinals were standing for the anthem.

Eagles vs. Chargers

All Eagles players stood for the anthem. Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod raised their fists in the air during the playing of the song. Chris Long put his hand on Jenkins' shoulder again.

All Chargers players stood for the anthem but some linked arms.

Commissioner Roger Goodell is in attendance at the StubHub Center for the game.

Giants vs. Buccaneers

Olivier Vernon of the Giants kneeled during the anthem for the second consecutive game. Anthony Collins and Jarvis Harrison of the Buccaneers raised their fists during the song.

Colts vs. Seahawks

Michael Bennett, who has been protesting during the anthem all season, was one of eight Seahawks to sit on the bench during the anthem. He was joined by Frank Clark, Jarran Reed, Sheldon Richardson, Marcus Smith II, andMichael Wilhoite