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Few Anthem Protests After Week 3 Show Of Unity

Kiichiro Sato
/
AP
The Pittsburgh side of the field remains empty during the national anthem on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. Players did not go onto the field during them anthem, prompting criticism from some fans.

Most players stood for the national anthem before early Games of Week 4. Last week more than 200 players knelt in response to several tweets by President Donald Trump. 

Several players on the Buffalo Bills knelt, including star running back LeSean McCoy. Texans' Jurrell Casey, Wesley Woodyard, Brian Orakpo and DaQuan Jones raised a fist while Tennessee wide receiver Rishard Matthews was not on the field for the anthem. He came out of the tunnel after it ended.

Nine Browns players, including LB Christian Kirksey, raised their right arms with closed fists. Rams outside linebacker Robert Quinn also raised his right fist before the Rams-Cowboys game. Punter Johnny Hekker had his arm around him.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, as promised, stood on the sideline during the national anthem after watching from the tunnel last week in Chicago. With the exception of center Ryan Jensen and guard Matt Skura, the Ravens all took a knee on the field before the national anthem and received boos from many in the crowd. The team then stood on the sideline after the music started.

The Cowboys returned to their usual pregame configuration: all standing along their sideline, but without arms linked. Last week Dallas kneeled in unison before "The Star-Spangled Banner" then stood, arms linked for the song.

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