Well I was wrong about the Pats losing, thankfully
McCourty and Bennett raised their fist after the anthem ended they were
Asked about it after the game.
http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2016/09/12/martellus-bennett-devin-mccourty-explain-reasons-for-raising-fists-following-national-anthem/“Today I wore socks with the American flag,” McCourty told reporters. “I believe in this country. I love this country. My father was in the Army. My older brother was in the Army. Those men and women go out there and put their life on the line. I respect that. That’s the reason why I didn’t do anything during the national anthem because I respect it, and you talk to different people, how much respect they have for the flag, that’s why they believe they go fight. Nothing but respect for them.”
“As players, we respect the anthem,” he added. “A lot of guys have family members, have friends that served and believe in what people go out there and fight for. But you also see a lot of guys who believe in using our platform and trying to be the leaders and help change in the country. We love this country, but it doesn’t mean we can’t improve it. I think as National Football [League] players we have a platform. Just like many of us have charities and try to do different things in the community, this is a part of it. Just proud to be a part of the NFL.”
Bennett too has family members who served in the military and wants change.
“For us, it’s just, we represent guys who’ve been — things that have been unjust,” Bennett said. “We also support. … My dad served 13 years in the Navy. It’s just one of those things to let them know that this is something that we care about. This is something that we want to bring change in a positive way.
“We’re not trying to be a distraction or anything like that. But we want people to know that we’re working to make a difference in our communities, and we have been doing that from the beginning. All the things that’s going on, whatever it may be, we’re just working to be a positive influence in our community. For me I just try to do everything I can to help out those like me. I have friends who have been unjustly discriminated against. All those things. It’s not just a black-white thing. It’s for all people. We want everybody to be treated fairly and just and for everyone to be tolerant for everything that’s going on.”
