Broncos starting linebacker Brandon Marshall, a teammate of Colin Kaepernick's while in college at Nevada, kneeled during the national anthem before Thursday night's NFL season opener against the Carolina Panthers.

Marshall, who is active in community work, took a knee just before the anthem and remained on it until it was completed. The Broncos players were lined up, standing on the sideline, and Marshall was at the end of the line on the south end of Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

No other players were seen sitting or kneeling during the national anthem.

Marshall, the team's second-leading tackler during its run to a Super Bowl title last season, has expressed support for Kaepernick, who initially opted to not to stand during the anthem during the preseason due to what he believes is racial injustice and police brutality.

"While we encourage members of our organization to stand during the National Anthem, we understand and respect it being a personal decision," the Broncos said in a statement Thursday night.

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said earlier in the preseason that "I want our guys to stand for the national anthem ... My dad taught me two things that I believe in strongly. He told me to believe in my values and those types of things in life, and obviously I believe in our country and the national anthem very strongly. But at the same time, he taught me to respect other people's beliefs and values, so I do that.

"Our guys do a great job. But I don't babysit guys. I let them handle themselves. We tell our guys: 'Be yourself. Be your best self.' "

Source:
courtesy of ESPN

by Jeff Legwold

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