Broncos LB Brandon Marshall, Colin Kaepernick"s college teammate, took a knee during the national anthem

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Add Marshall to the list of NFL players who are protesting during the national anthem.

Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall kneeled during the national anthem just prior to the first regular season game of the 2016 NFL season.

As Denver prepared to face the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football, Marshall kneeled and remained kneeling until the anthem concluded.

Marshall played with Colin Kaepernick at Nevada, and according to Paul Klee of the The Gazette, he supports Kaepernick and his ongoing protest during the national anthem.

"Kaep, he"s using his platform how he wants to use it, to reach the masses," Marshall said. "We have freedom of speech. But then we use our platform, and we get bashed for it. It’s almost like they want us to only go with the grain. And once we go against the grain, it’s an issue."

Thursday’s game was nationally televised on NBC.

Kaepernick began his protest of the national anthem during the preseason to call attention to the ongoing oppression of black Americans in the United States.

"I"ll continue to sit," Kaepernick said. "I"m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change. When there"s significant change and I feel that flag represents what it"s supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way that it"s supposed to, I"ll stand."

Kaepernick has pledged the first million dollars of his salary this season as well as the proceeds from his jersey sales to organizations that fight against social inequality. The 49ers have also pledged $ 1 million to local Bay Area organizations that do the same.

Kaepernick’s 49ers teammate, safety Eric Reid, and Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane have also chosen to join in the protest of the national anthem.

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Eric Reid explains decision to join Colin Kaepernick’s Anthem protest

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When San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick protested the National Anthem during “Salute to the Military” night on Thursday, he wasn’t alone.

In his second consecutive week of protest, Kaepernick was joined at his side by teammate Eric Reid. Only this time, per Reid’s suggestion, Kaepernick did not sit quietly on the bench. Rather, the duo kneeled as the National Anthem was proudly belted out on the field.

After the game, Reid not only explained his decision to join Kaepernick’s protest, but why the two opted to kneel instead of sit this time around.

“It’s something that’s been on my mind all week and after talking to Colin many times, I talked to him today before the game,” Reid told reporters on Thursday night (via CSN). “People thought it was disrespectful for him to sit down. He was able to decide, ‘What if we took a knee instead of sitting?’

“And that came off as more respectful to the country, to the anthem, to the military. And I agree with that. It shows that he hears that people were hurt by him sitting, but he still believes in the cause that he wants to bring awareness to. So he changed his physical position from sitting down to take a knee to still show respect.”

Meanwhile, around the league, support for Kaepernick’s cause also grew in numbers. In Seattle, cornerback Jeremy Lane took a stand by taking a seat, becoming the first non-49ers player to join the ongoing Anthem protest.

After their victory over the Oakland Raiders, head coach Pete Carroll expressed his support of Lane and said he’s “proud” of the progress that’s being made as a part of these protests.

Kaepernick, Reid and Lane all plan to continue their protests until they feel legitimate change has been made in this country.

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Arian Foster doesn’t see Colin Kaepernick’s ‘form of protest’ as a solution

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Arian Foster has never been shy when it comes to addressing racial inequality, and he supports the message Colin Kaepernick is trying to get across. However, even Foster disagrees with the way Kaepernick has chosen to take a stand.

Over the weekend, Foster said he understands what Kaepernick is trying to accomplish but would not personally protest the U.S. national anthem.

“I don’t necessarily see that as a solution to anything,” Foster said, via Adam H. Beasley of The Miami Herald. “This is me talking. This is Arian talking. If that’s what he felt, that’s his form of protest, I support his right to protest. Those are his thoughts, his opinions.”

Foster made it clear, however, that he understands why Kaepernick has grown tired of social injustices.

“I understand 100 percent what he’s doing,” Foster added. “He’s frustrated, just like me. He’s just like my brother. He’s just like my cousins out there. He’s frustrated. It’s hard seeing people get murdered and killed without repercussions.

“African Americans are the only people in America who don’t have a heritage, because of slavery. We’re descendants of genocide, and people don’t like to talk about that. It’s the truth. We’re the descendants of genocide. So when you say, ‘You can leave,’ where to? I don’t know where my people come from. Am I from the Congo? Am I from Kenya? Am I from the Ivory Coast? … I have no idea where my lineage comes from, and that is a huge issue as to why there’s a self-identity crisis in our neighborhoods. We’re taught to hate ourselves for generations.”

Foster is not alone in disagreeing with Kaepernick’s approach. You have to wonder if the San Francisco 49ers quarterback could have raised just as much awareness by speaking out, rather than refusing to stand for the national anthem.

One thing Kaepernick did do is get people talking. And if you read what he said on Sunday about his plan going forward, you get the impression this is only the start.

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