There was an unprecedented scene before the Seattle Seahawks-Tennessee Titans game at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.
In response to President Donald Trump’s call to “fire” any player who protests during the national anthem, both the Seahawks and Titans released separate statements saying they would not be coming onto the field for the anthem.
— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) September 24, 2017
#Titans statement on not being on field for national anthem. pic.twitter.com/23PpFioaW4
— Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) September 24, 2017
And as a result, LP Field looked eerily empty before kickoff.
Both the Titans & the Seahawks choose not to be on sidelines during today's National Anthem (📷 by @PJFOX17) pic.twitter.com/3m7nuImgju
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 24, 2017
But the teams weren’t the only ones in Nashville, Tenn., to take a stand, as singer Meghan Linsey and her guitarist took a knee at the end of the song.
Seahawks-Titans anthem singer @meghanlinsey took a knee along with her guitar player at the end. Boom! Keep it going!pic.twitter.com/RyfsUzyjvA
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) September 24, 2017
The Pittsburgh Steelers also did not take the field for the anthem prior to their loss to the Chicago Bears, as head coach Mike Tomlin said he didn’t want to put his team in a difficult situation.
https://twitter.com/TylerRickyTynes/status/911972594227740673
It was an important day in the NFL.
Thumbnail photo via Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports Images
