Oakland Raiders star running back Marshawn Lynch has been consistent all year, but it has nothing to do with his on-the-field performance.
On Sunday, Lynch decided to sit down when our National Anthem and the American flag was displayed prior to the start of his team’s game against the New England Patriots in Mexico City. Lynch doesn’t care what people think about him and has protested our National Anthem for years.
Instead of honoring America, Lynch stood for the Mexican National Anthem, showing complete disrespect for a country that has provided him so much throughout his successful NFL career.
From Bleacher Report:
As for Lynch, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio discussed his running back’s approach after a preseason contest, per NFL.com.
“On Marshawn, talked to Marshawn trying to make sure we’re on the same page,” Del Rio said. “He said, ‘This is something I’ve done for 11 years. It’s not a form of anything other than me being myself.’ I said, ‘So you understand how I feel, I very strongly believe in standing for the national anthem. But I’m going to respect you as a man, you do your thing. We’ll do ours.’ It’s a non-issue for me.”
Lynch standing for the Mexican national anthem came on the same day NFL Vice President of Football Communications Michael Signora announced the league and the Mexico Ministry of Tourism agreed to continue playing NFL games in Mexico through 2021.
Mexican national anthem being sung on field at Estadio Azteca. And throughout the crowd. Marshawn Lynch rose for it. pic.twitter.com/Pz4GoEfyuw
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 19, 2017
How disrespectful. @MarshawnLynch24 sits for our anthem in Mexico and then stands for theirs. You’re a disgrace to a country that has allowed you to make millions playing a game. #IStand #NFLMexico #NEvsOAK #marshawnlynch
— Steph D Torres (@FromSteph2You) November 19, 2017
If you are a fan of Marshawn Lynch then you should be ashamed of yourself and him for what he did today during the National Anthem.
— Don Vito (@BigV3032) November 19, 2017
Isn’t the whole National Anthem protest about police abusing its citizens? Does Lynch not realize that Mexican police are far more brutal than Ameican police officers? Hey Marshawn, your protest makes no sense!
Mexico’s immigration laws are more strict and harsh than ours. If you want to protest a country over its treatment of its own citizens, start with Mexico.
Do you support Lynch and his 1st Amendment right to sit down during our National Anthem? Should Lynch be banned from playing until he stands for the flag? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!