Arian Foster clearly explains NFL players’ motivation for protesting the national anthem

Arian Foster and several of his Dolphins teammates protested during the national anthem on Sunday by taking a knee instead of standing. Taking Colin Kaepernick’s lead, the quartet of Dolphins are being criticized by some for “disrespecting those who lost their lives on 9/11,” but in reality the players stood during a pregame ceremony honoring those lost before taking their knee. After the game, running back Arian Foster explained the protest.

It was a strong message not only to those critiquing him, but explaining why he took a stand.

“I make one thing clear that it’s not about the symbology that people are mad about, it’s about the message and it’s about who’s saying it — because if it’s about a knee that people are upset about, every Sunday people of faith take a knee to give thanks to their lord and savior.”

Foster continued about how he and his teammates were exercising their rights.

“This is exactly what this country is all about. We have people in other countries that if they speak out they get beheaded, they get killed, they get tortured. That’s not what this is about. If somebody disagrees with it, they can disagree with it -- but respect that right to protest. Those same people who fought and died for our right to protest fought for your rights.”

Later on Twitter, Foster wanted to clarify that his protest did not interfere with any pregame memorial to 9/11 victims.

Foster and the Dolphins weren’t the only players around the league to protest during the anthem in Week 1. Brandon Marshall of the Broncos, the Chiefs’ Marcus Peters and Martellus Benentt and Devin McCourty of the Patriots joined the movement.