LONDON: The NFL players’ anthem continued at the weekend, notably again in London, where some players knelt as the United States national anthem was played before New Orleans Saints’ 20-0 win over Miami Dolphins at Wembley writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Three members of the Dolphins squad — Julius Thomas, Michael Thomas, Kenny Stills — knelt as Darius Rucker performed “The Star Spangled Banner.” All of the other uniformed Dolphins players were standing, many with their right hands over their chests. The three players who had knelt stood for the subsequent British anthem.

Anthem time at Wembley for the NFL

The opposing New Orleans Saints team ‘took a knee’before the US national anthem only to stand up together when it was sung to show ‘solidarity for all’.

Gesture

In a gesture initiated last season by then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, several NFL players have routinely knelt on one knee during the playing of the American anthem to protest against social and racial inequality.

On the eve of Sunday’s 14 NFL games, Trump on Saturday renewed his sharp criticism of players who have refused to stand during the pre-game ceremony.

Via Twitter he posted: “Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem. Respect our Flag and our Country!”

The match itself at Wembley saw Miami outplayed for almost all the game although it was scoreless until just before halftime.

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