Eagles’ Chris Long Joins Malcolm Jenkins as N.F.L. Anthem Protests Continue
There was no way I could go out there and hide behind the game.” Bennett also called for white
players to join the protests: “It would take a white player to really get things changed
In the latest incident, Eagles defensive end Chris Long, who grew up in Charlottesville, Va., put his arm around his teammate
Malcolm Jenkins, while Jenkins raised his fist during the anthem at a preseason game in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
At least two prominent players have sat during the anthem this preseason: Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett on Sunday
and Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch, who has returned to the league this year after retirement, on Saturday.
“I think it’s a good time for people that look like me to be there for people that are fighting for equality,” Long, who is white, told reporters.
But we also have to understand the other side that people do have rights and we want to respect those.”
Join a deep and provocative exploration of race with a diverse group of New York Times journalists.