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Lynch sits, eats banana during national anthem

Sporting News

Another season, another controversy surrounding the national anthem.

Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch remained seated during the national anthem prior to the team's 20-10 loss to the Cardinals in their preseason opener.

In his first game back since the 2015 season, Lynch was dressed in uniform but did not play. Instead of standing for the song, he sat on a cooler while holding a banana.

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio was unaware of Lynch's intention to sit but said he spoke with the veteran rusher after the game.

"(Lynch) said, 'This is something I've done for 11 years. It's not a form of anything other than me being myself,'" Del Rio said.

"I said, 'So you understand how I feel. I very strongly believe in standing for the national anthem, but I'm going to respect you as a man. You do your thing, and we'll do ours.' So that's a non-issue for me."

Lynch was not among the players who kneeled during Colin Kaepernick's protest against police brutality and racial injustice last season, though he did praise the controversial quarterback for taking action.

Predictably, social media exploded with all kinds of reactions to Lynch's stance, some positive:

While others were scathing of the former Super Bowl winner.