Two Miami Dolphins players took a knee during the national anthem before their Thursday night preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson kneeled behind their teammates, who were lined up standing along the sideline. Additionally, Miami defensive end Robert Quinn stood and raised his first (which he also did last season with the Los Angeles Rams).
Friday morning, President Donald Trump—who has waged war with the NFL over the anthem protests—chastised the players and implored them to, "Be happy! Be cool!"
Quinn said he feels he has an obligation to take a stand.
"As a black man in this world, I've got an obligation to raise awareness,'' Quinn said after the game. "If no one wants to live in unity, that's why we're in the situation we're in.
Stills added that he did not coordinate the protest with Wilson.
"It just happened that way,'' Stills said. "When I'm on a knee, most of the time I'm praying, and thank God for having Albert next to me. Being a part of this protest hasn't been easy. I thought I was going to be by myself out there. Today I had an angel with me with Albert being out there. I'm grateful he sees what's happening, and he wants to do something about it as well."
Colin Kaepernick encouraged the players to "stay strong."
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