Twelve Cleveland Browns Players Take Knee For Anthem, Including First White Player

Prior to their preseason game against the New York Giants on Monday night, 12 Cleveland Browns players took a knee during the National Anthem to protest racial and social injustice. Among them was tight end Seth DeValve — the first known white NFL player to kneel for the anthem.

“I wanted to take the opportunity with my teammates during the anthem to pray for our country and also to draw attention to the fact that we have work to do,” Devalve said, according to ESPN.

DeValve’s decision to participate comes days after Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett called on white players to join the protests — which have been prevalent throughout the league since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first sat for the Anthem prior to a preseason game last season.

“It would take a white player to really get things changed,” Bennett told ESPN. “Because when somebody from the other side understands and they step up and they speak up about it … it would change the whole conversation. Because when you bring somebody who doesn’t have to be a part of [the] conversation making himself vulnerable in front of it, I think when that happens, things will really take a jump.”

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Joe DePaolo (@joe_depaolo) on Twitter

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