Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, arguably the second-most-visible NFL protester aside from Colin Kaepernick, has decided to stand during the national anthem.
Marshall explained on his Instagram account that while he won't be kneeling during the national anthem, he won't stop fighting for social and racial justice.
For the 1st half of the season, I’ve been taking a knee for the National Anthem to raise awareness for social injustice and to start conversation about what all of us can do to make a positive change, Marshall wrote on social media. I’m encouraged with the many productive discussions and progress that has taken place as the Denver Police department has decided to review its use of force policy. I’m proud to have joined so many of my peers throughout sports who’ve also made their own statements.
Going forward, I will be standing for the National Anthem—not because everything is perfect, or because I’m changing my stance on things. But because of my hope for what we can become. Just because I am standing doesn’t mean the work will end. There’s much work to be done. I’ll continue to recognize and support organizations that are stepping up as leaders and making a real difference in our community, and I will do my part to be there for those in need.
Marshall added that the Idriss Stelley Foundation, “a grassroots organization in the [California] Bay Area that offer[s] free support to victims of police violence,” is one of the organizations he’ll be supporting, Yahoo! Sports reports.
On Sunday, Marshall stood during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Broncos coach Gary Kubiak stood next to him. Kubiak would later tell NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya that he stood next to the linebacker to show support for him, adding that he was proud of the way his player expressed his feelings and how he handled the backlash.
Read more at Yahoo! Sports.