NFL National Anthem Protests: Players Kneel, Raise Fists In Thursday Games

Malcolm Jenkins #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles raises his fist during the national anthem as Chris Long #56 puts his arm around him prior to the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, in Philadelphia. And in Seattle, Seahawks Branden Jackson, Quinton Jefferson and Duane Brown ran into the tunnel leading to the team's locker room before the playing of the anthem.

President Trump blasted NFL players who took a knee in protest during preseason games, saying that players who fail to stand during the national anthem should be "suspended without pay".

Trump writes from his New Jersey golf resort that players "make a fortune doing what they love" and that those who refuse to stand "proudly" for the anthem should be suspended without pay.

The players' union filed a grievance about the policy change, and late last month, the new policy was put on hold while the NFL and NFL Players Association work on a resolution.

"Everybody is waiting for what the league is going to do", Jenkins said, according to AP. "I think it's important that we continue to keep this conversation going, that we don't let it get stagnant".

"As a man I got certain beliefs", Smith told reporters. "If no one wants to live in unity, that's why we're in the situation we're in".

India, England hope for clear skies
For India , Cheteshwar Pujara again failed to find a place while England have opted for fast bowler Chris Woakes over Moeen Ali. England and India were left frustrated at Lord's with persistent rain wiping out the whole of day one of the second Test.

It is officially year three of the protests, which Colin Kaepernick started in the 2016 preseason as a means to bring attention to extrajudicial violence by police against black people. Several other players joined the protest.

The NFL also commented on the demonstration shown by Dolphins players, reiterating that no player can be disciplined for violating any national anthem policy while they continue their discussions with the NFLPA. I don't know if.to my knowledge, there's nothing out there right now on what the players can do.

Dolphins players kneel in protest during the 2017 regular season.

In statement released Thursday, the National Football League said all players and team staff on the field were expected to stand for the flag or the anthem, reminding those who choose not to that they must remain in the locker rooms.

"But we've seen in other leagues when they've made a decision to amplify the voices of their players to also emphasize the importance of the issues that we're raising, and change the narrative away from the anthem, that not only is it more acceptable, the fan base gets educated on what we're talking about, and we can actually make some movement".