Marshawn Lynch doesn't speak unless it's of utmost importance, so when he sat during the National Anthem yet again this preseason: he was actually being quite communicative. It just so happens that sports media types can't sell a story without "proper" deliberation. Marshawn refused to stand during the star spangled banner all of last year, and based on Friday night's gesture, he'll be doing the same in 2018.
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The Raider's opponents, the Detroit Lions, locked arms in protest in a similar gesture of disavowal. Other players around the NFL did so as well. Miami Dolphins' starters Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson both took a knee before the commencement of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Teammate Robert Quinn expressed his repudiation a little differently, choosing instead to raise his fist during the anthem.
In Philadelphia, Malcolm Jenkins and De'Vante Bausby both raised fist before kickoff, the former one of the more outspoken critics of Donald Trump during the White House disinvitation scandal. Until the NFL submits a finalized rule change proposal, players choosing to protest the anthem will not be penalized, much to Donald Trump's dismay. If anthem protest eventually becomes a punishable act by decree, players like Marshawn Lynch who've shown themselves to be uncomprising, might be willing to take a stand.
Marshawn spent most of the game on the bench, but he did manage this 60-yard TD run that was eventually called back due to a holding penalty.
Beast Mode can still fly.
