Prior to his team's game against the Raiders on Sunday night, Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall announced that he is going to stop taking a knee in protest of the playing of the national anthem. Marshall had been one of several NFL players to follow in the footsteps of Colin Kaepernick during the first two months of the NFL season. Marshall started taking a knee during the anthem before the Broncos' season opener against the Panthers, and he even lost an endorsement deal as a result of his decision to do it. But he's ending his protest, effective immediately, and explained why he's doing it in an Instagram post he put up on Sunday afternoon.
Marshall acknowledged that he feels there is still "work to be done," but he said he has witnessed progress within the Denver Police Department and no longer feels the need to take a knee:
Previously, Marshall told the Colorado Springs Gazette about how he supports Kaepernick, who was his college teammate. "I support Colin. I support Kaep. I understand where he’s coming from," Marshall said. "I definitely see what he’s saying. I support him on that. I’m not mad at him for that. Some people are bashing him on the Internet, but I’m not bashing him at all. I support him." Marshall also vowed to donate $300 to community organizations for every tackle he makes this season.
According to NFL.com, he has 40 tackles so far this year.
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