NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A trio of Tennessee Titans say they raised their right fists in the air after the national anthem ended to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11, and to bring attention to the ongoing unequal treatment of African-Americans and other minorities.
Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, cornerback Jason McCourty and linebacker Wesley Woodyard all had hands over their hearts during the anthem before Sunday’s season opener against Minnesota. Seconds after the anthem ended, they raised their arms into the air in solidarity with protests around the league even though their gesture went unnoticed until Monday after a Sports Illustrated photo started circulating.
McCourty said Monday that they want to help bridge a gap in equality for everyone, specifically African-Americans.
“I don’t want it to be taken as something that was us trying to separate people,” McCourty said. “It was more trying to bring everyone together in solidarity trying to come up with a situation to better our country. We love it, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have room for improvement.”
San Francisco backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first NFL player who chose to sit and take a knee during the anthem in preseason games to call attention to what he says is the oppression of blacks and other minorities.