LANDOVER — Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and linebacker Brandon Marshall did not stand on the sideline for the playing of the national anthem at FedEx Field on Friday — emerging from the tunnel moments afterward.
The two players have done the same throughout the preseason.
Here’s what Thomas told The Athletic on Aug. 15 about his decision to stay in the tunnel:
Caught up with Demaryius Thomas about a bunch of stuff. More to come on the football stuff, but when I asked him why he decided to stay in the tunnel with Brandon Marshall for the anthem, this is what he said: pic.twitter.com/QU7CcaMuZP
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 15, 2018
All other players stood for the anthem.
In 2016, Marshall knelt during the anthem for part of the season, losing sponsorships. But his protest ended in Week 9 of that season, telling reporters he had “productive discussions and progress” after meeting with Denver police about their use-of-force policy.
Marshall and Thomas were two of 32 Broncos to kneel in Week 3 of the 2017 season in response to President Trump saying NFL players deserved to be fired for protesting during the anthem. They did not kneel for the rest of the season.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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