GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Asked about players who did not stand for the national anthem before preseason games, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday that while the playing of the anthem is a special moment to him, “we also have to understand the other side.” Goodell made the comments at University of Phoenix Stadium during a 45-minute question-and-answer period with Arizona Cardinals club seat holders.

One season ticket-holder, Bruce Olson, asked the commissioner whether players were going to continue to protest during the anthem and if anything could be done about it. “It’s one of those things where I think we have to understand that there are people that have different viewpoints,” Goodell said. “The national anthem is a special moment to me. It’s a point of pride. But we also have to understand the other side, that people do have rights and we want to respect those.”


Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) sits during the national anthem prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

KPUG edit: Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett and Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch both sat during the national anthem in their respective games last weekend. Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn continued his approach from last season by raising his right fist during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner”.  

Bennett says he will continue sit during the national anthem this year in protest of social injustice and segregation.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s knelt during the anthem last season protesting wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the U.S.. He is currently a free agent looking for work in the NFL. 

(KPUG – Doug Lange; Information from the Associated Press used in this story)

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