The Seattle Seahawks stood and linked arms during the national anthem Sunday before their season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Word of the demonstration emerged Thursday when wide receiver Doug Baldwin first tweeted about a "demonstration of unity."
When approached in the locker room by reporters, Baldwin declined to elaborate further, saying, "You'll see on Sunday."
On Saturday morning, Baldwin rallied support for the demonstration on social media, posting a 42-second video and a quote from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
“We are a team comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds,” Baldwin says in the video. “As a team, we have chosen to stand and interlock arms in unity.”
Many fans have expressed outrage on social media regarding any form of demonstration or protest while the national anthem in playing.
The Seahawks’ demonstration comes as a number of athletes have followed the lead of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who refused to stand for the playing of the national anthem in protest of what he deems are offenses against African-Americans and other minorities.
Also on Sunday, Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster, safety Michael Thomas, linebacker Jelani Jenkins and receiver Kenny Stills kneeled on the sideline in protest.
>> 4 Miami Dolphins kneel during national anthem
Seahawks Hall of Famer Steve Largent told KIRO Radio last week that the national anthem is time for a player to stop, reflect and acknowledge sacrifices made for our country.
“That’s a moment as a player to stop, reflect and acknowledge that there’s been a lot of sacrifices made to get us to a point in this country, even to have to the opportunity we have as players to play this game, be paid as much as we do, and everything else,” Largent told KIRO Radio’s Ron and Don. “Taking a pot shot at some cause, whatever it is, during the national anthem is inappropriate.”
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