With the team honoring military members, all members of the Falcons stood while the national anthem was being performed before practice Saturday.

On July 27, Falcons owner Arthur Blank called the NFL's national-anthem dilemma "complex" while also adding that players should be able to exercise their Constitutional rights under the First Amendment.

After some players begin to protest social and racial injustices during the national anthem around the NFL last season, the Falcons stood most of the time, except for one game when two players knelt in protest of derogatory comments directed to the NFL players.

The NFL and the NFLPA, the player’s union, have met in an attempt to come up with a solution after the owners tried to require players to stand or face a possible fine.

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Unlike last season, when Kirk Cousins was the undisputed starter for the Atlanta Falcons at quarterback heading into training camp, this season it's Michael Penix Jr. (center). Training camp begins next week. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

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Braves first baseman Matt Olson (left) is greeted by Ronald Acuña Jr. after batting during the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC