The 49ers made a bold display Sunday when 30 players took a knee during the anthem prior to the team's game against the Cardinals. For comparison, the first 20 teams to play this week had 11 players combined take a knee.
Together pic.twitter.com/PwKDagudCq
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2017
The 49ers released a statement to explain the thought process behind the action:
“At its purest level, football is a unifier of people from all walks of life, different socio-economic backgrounds, every corner of this country and around the world. As players, coaches, ownership and staff, we are privileged to work in an environment that is a tremendous example of how people can come together for a common goal. We not only put our differences aside, but we also use them to achieve that common goal by challenging each other to be better — both in our professional and personal lives.
“For more than a year, members of our team have protested the oppression and social injustices still present in our society. While some may not have taken a knee or raised a fist, we have all shared the desire to influence positive change. Today, our team chose to publicly display our unity in a new way and, in turn, urge others do the same. Our demonstration is simply a representation of how we hope our country can also come together by putting differences aside and solving its problems.
“As the majority of us have done throughout our careers, we use our platform as members of a NFL team, and our right to freedom of expression, to speak up for those whose voice is not heard. It is important that we continue to emphasize that despite our different backgrounds and beliefs, we still love each other and are truly a brotherhood. Our gesture today was an intentional effort to demonstrate that. Make no mistake, we love this great country and have tremendous respect for our military and veterans who have sacrificed so much for our right to express ourselves freely. We passionately want what is best for this country and all its citizens.
“On behalf of the San Francisco 49ers organization, we urge our fellow citizens to embrace your differences, find strength in them, and come together for the good of all.”
Several players and teams took part in protests last week after Donald Trump made comments last Friday in Alabama saying he'd "love" to see an owner fire any "son of a bitch" who chose to kneel during the anthem. The number of team demonstrations, either before the anthem or during, decreased this week.
