Tennessee Titans #JurrellCasey says he will take the fine for standing during the national anthem.
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In an interview the defensive end told CNN Sports on Wednesday he plans to take a knee in protest during the national anthem while accepting the fines. “I’m going to take a fine this year, why not?” said Casey at an NFL promotional event in London. “I’m going to protest during the flag. That’s what I’m going to say now.”
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With only three weeks left until the preseason, Casey is the first to go public about his decision to protest. Casey has been with the Tennessee Titans for three seasons now. The new policy came after several players took a knee to speak out against racial injustice and police brutality back in 2016. After some backlash the league enforced a new policy that requires players to “stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem” or stay in the locker room while the national anthem is being performed.
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The new rule was approved by all 32 NFL owners, except for two owners. San Francisco owner Jed York abstained, and New York Jets co-owner Christopher Johnson said he would cover any of his players’ fines if they decided to protest. Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk says she accepts her teams’ choice to stay in the locker room but has yet to speak on what her actions will be if they protest on the field.
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“I’m going to take my fine,” Casey added. “It is what it is; I ain’t going to let them stop me from doing what I want to do. If they want to have these battles between players and organizations, this is the way it’s going to be.”
