NFL national anthem protests: Three teams skip anthem, others kneel in solidarity

An unprecedented day of protest in the NFL began in earnest shortly after 1 p.m., when NFL players, coaches and even team owners joined together during the national anthem before games in a show of solidarity.

At stadiums around the league, players expressed their opposition to President Donald Trump's comments Friday, in which he called players who knelt during the national anthem "sons of b—" and said they should be fired.

Three teams — the Steelers, Seahawks and Titans — sat out the anthem altogether, remaining in their locker rooms before taking the field.

The Steelers were first to do so, at Chicago's Soldier Field. Their only player to emerge during the anthem was lineman Alejandro Villanueva, a U.S. Army veteran, who stood at the edge of the tunnel with his hand over his heart. On the opposite sideline, Bears players stood, with arms locked and hands on their heart.

The most dramatic display came later in Nashville, when both the Seahawks and Titans declined to take the field until after the anthem had been played.

"We will not stand for the injustice that has plagued people of color in this country," Seahawks players said in a statement released by the team. "Out of love for our country and in honor of the sacrifices made on our behalf, we unite to oppose those that would deny our most basic freedoms. We remain committed in continuing to work towards equality and justice for all."

In New England, multiple Patriots players knelt during the anthem, prompting boos from some fans.

At Ford Field in Detroit, Falcons owner Arthur Blank stood on the field with his arms locked with Devonta Freeman on one side and Julio Jones on the other, while Lions owner Martha Ford locked arms with coach Jim Caldwell on the opposite sideline.

In Charlotte, all Panthers players appeared to be standing, but veteran Julius Peppers remained in the locker room. On the other sideline, Sporting News counted almost a dozen Saints, including Adrian Peterson, kneeling.

“I want to get one thing clear: This wasn’t about disrespecting the military, disrespecting the police, first responders – none of that,” Peppers told reporters afterward. “It was about me making a decision as a man on my two feet. I didn’t want to ask anybody else to do anything with me. I thought it was appropriate to stay in. We know what went on this week; the comments that were made by the President. I felt like he attacked our brothers – my brothers in the league. I felt it was appropriate to stand up with them and stay in the locker room."

Some Dolphins players specifically came out in support of Colin Kaepernick, who started the trend of anthem protests last year.

Kaepernick likely couldn't have dreamed then the events around the NFL Sunday.

Earlier in the day, many Jaguars and Ravens players knelt, while others stood together, arms locked, during the anthem before their game in London's Wembley Stadium. All players later stood for the playing of "God Save the Queen."