By Valerie Richardson - The Washington Times - Sunday, November 19, 2017

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch sat Sunday for “The Star-Spangled Banner,” as he has done all season, but then stood for the Mexican national anthem before his team faced the New England Patriots in Mexico City.

Lynch’s double move, reported by the Associated Press and Boston Globe, was reminiscent of the Sept. 24 game in London, in which about two dozen players stood for “God Save the Queen” after kneeling for the U.S. national anthem.

Not surprisingly, the decision drew a reaction on Twitter, with some applauding Lynch with comments like “legend” and “awesome,” and others blasting him.

“Marshawn Lynch doesn’t protest Mexico’s long history of human rights abuses by corrupt politicians but sits for our National Anthem — the ’land of the free and the home of the brave.’ Disgusting,” said commentator Neil A. Carousso.

After Boston Globe reporter Ben Volin tweeted a photo of Lynch both sitting and standing, several respondents said that Lynch did so because trainers were working on his equipment, while others disagreed.

Photos posted last weekend show Lynch sitting for the national anthem in Denver but surrounded by coaches and training staff in an apparent effort to shield him from publicity.

Lynch has not commented publicly on why he sits for the national anthem, but his decision comes with other players refusing to stand in a protest that began last season over black men killed at the hands of police.

• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.

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