Ravens, Jaguars respond to Trump with protests and gestures of unity

The Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars opened Sunday of Week 3 with more protests and gestures in the wake of President Trump’s comments.

On Friday, President Donald Trump addressed NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem. He mused that it’d be great to see NFL owners fire protesting NFL players.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b—- off the field right now,” Trump said. “Out. He’s fired. He’s fired.”

Multiple owners have already spoke out about Trump’s comments through official statements. Several players have already spoke out in one fashion or another, but what remained to be seen was how NFL players would handle the moments before the game when the national anthem is being played. Albert Breer reported for Sports Illustrated that multiple teams met, coaches, staff, players and ownership, to discuss what to do. He also reported that most teams didn’t agree on a singular gesture.

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Thanks to the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars playing in London, and kicking off earlier than usual, fans didn’t have to wait a long time to get the first glimpse of what to expect from NFL teams.

Like Breer reported, there were different variations. Some players chose to kneel, some chose to stand and lock arms with their teammates in a show of solidarity.

Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and was amongst those electing to kneel. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco elected to lock arms. Future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis was on hand and also took a knee.

Perhaps more surprisingly, Jaguars owner Shad Khan took the field and locked arms with players. Khan is one of several NFL owners who donated $1 million to Trump’s campaign. Khan had previously declined to comment, deferring to Roger Goodell’s statements.

Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles also locked arms with his teammates.