Baller Alert Entertainment & Lifestyle
Denver Broncos linebacker, Brandon Marshall, has decided that he will be standing for the National Anthem from now on.
At the start of the season, Marshall joined Colin Kaepernick in a silent protest to raise awareness for social injustice. Marshall’s protest didn’t come without opposition. Shortly after taking a seat during the National Anthem, he lost endorsements with CenturyLink and Air Academy Credit Union. Now, midway through the season, Marshall has announced that his protest is over.
“For the 1st half of the season, I’ve been taking a knee for the National Anthem to raise awareness for social injustice and to start conversation about what all of us can do to make a positive change,” said Marshall in an announcement made via Instagram. “I’m encouraged with the many productive discussions and progress that has taken place as the Denver Police department has decided to review its use of force policy. I’m proud to have joined so many of my peers throughout sports who’ve also made their own statements. Going forward, I will be standing for the National Anthem—not because everything is perfect, or because I’m changing my stance on things. But because of my hope for what we can become.”
The Broncos Baller wants it to be known that ending his protest doesn’t mean that he will end the fight for what’s right. “Just because I am standing doesn’t mean the work will end,” said Marshall. “There’s much work to be done. I’ll continue to recognize and support organizations that are stepping up as leaders and making a real difference in our community, and I will do my part to be there for those in need.”
Brandon Marshall then mentions the Idriss Stelley Foundation, a organizations that he plans to work with. You can read his full statement below.
For the 1st half of the season, I’ve been taking a knee for the National Anthem to raise awareness for social injustice and to start conversation about what all of us can do to make a positive change. I’m encouraged with the many productive discussions and progress that has taken place as the Denver Police department has decided to review its use of force policy. I’m proud to have joined so many of my peers throughout sports who’ve also made their own statements. Going forward, I will be standing for the National Anthem—not because everything is perfect, or because I’m changing my stance on things. But because of my hope for what we can become. Just because I am standing doesn’t mean the work will end. There’s much work to be done. I’ll continue to recognize and support organizations that are stepping up as leaders and making a real difference in our community, and I will do my part to be there for those in need. One of those organizations is the Idriss Stelley Foundation, a grassroots organization in the Bay Area that offer free support to victims of police violence. I’ll be standing for them and the family of the late O’Shaine Evans—on Sunday night in addition to making a donation from my Tackle Change program to further the meaningful work of this group. I really appreciate the support from my family, teammates, coaches and fans. I’m grateful for those who have taken the time to hear me out. I’m excited for what all of us can accomplish when we truly work together.
