While many African-American athletes have stood behind Colin Kaepernick, Marshawn Lynch and Michael Bennet’s National Anthem protests, there are some who are against it, most notably Jermichael Finely.
The former Green Bay Packers tight end questioned the motives of those players who are refusing to stand during the anthem.
“Athletes are looked up to & serve as roll [sic] models, leave personal opinions about race and politics alone. Do what you get paid to do & play!” he wrote in a since-deleted tweet.
Finley elaborated on his thoughts in an interview with TMZ:
Another athlete outspoken against the protests is Oakland Raiders great Tim Brown, who did not understand new Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch’s protest in the team’s first preseason game.
“Why man? Why bring this to yourself?”, Brown said. “He has the perfect thing going on in Oakland. Why bring negativity to this incredible positive situation? … I just don’t get it.”
“I understand these guys man, they’re trying to make statements and they’re trying to be a part of this world but football is where people go to get away from that stuff.”
