Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sat on a bench as the national anthem played before a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night.
Lane didn't explain why he chose not to rise during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” as is customary. But his decision to sit during the song became more noticeable since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made national headlines for refusing to stand during the anthem last week to protest racial injustice and police brutality.
Kaepernick had not stood for the song during two previous games, although the protest went unnoticed, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
On Thursday, he stood as a giant American flag was unfurled before a preseason game against the Chargers in San Diego. When the anthem played, Kaepernick dropped to a knee, USA Today reported.
He was joined by teammate Eric Reid.
Lane is in his fifth year with the Seahawks after re-signing with the team during the offseason, ESPN reported.
The rest of the players on both teams stood during the anthem, reporter Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times said. There was no reaction from the fans when Lane ran onto the field to play, but many may not have realized he was sitting during the song.
Last week, the NFL announced that players are “encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.”
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