Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch remained seated in order to take a stand.
Similar to Colin Kaepernick's actions during a 2016 pre-season game, Lynch's refusal to stand during the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" did not go unnoticed, with many assuming that his silent form of protest was in response to the devastating events that took place in Charlottesvile, VA on Saturday, when a White Nationalist protestor drove a vehicle through a crowd of counter protesters, killing at least one and injuring several more.
The support on social media for Lynch's stance was swift and strong, with some suggesting that all African-American athletes should be doing the same in the face of such an egregious act of racism.
Along those same lines, Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio also didn't take issues with Lynch's actions, which is being seen as an overall approval by the Raiders as an organization. The reaction was summed up by ESPN reporter Paul Gutierrez:
"[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."
What do you think about Lynch's sitting during the national anthem? Fair or foul? Sound off below!
