NFL

Chief puts spin on Kaepernick’s national anthem movement

Not everyone is following Colin Kaepernick’s lead in kneeling for the national anthem, but the movement is evolving as players make statements in their own fashion.

Marcus Peters, a second-year cornerback with the Chiefs, raised a single fist throughout the playing of the song honoring America for Sunday’s home game against San Diego. He stood at the end of a linked Chiefs contingent, and his spare arm was raised in the air in clear demonstration. There is a long history of the Black Power movement associated with the raised fist, but Peters has not explained his actions yet.

The national anthem dissent that began with Kaepernick sitting, then kneeling, to protest what he cited as oppression of blacks and minorities has taken on a life of its own. When Peters raised a fist Sunday, it was with an added gravity, as the NFL was kicking off its Week 1 Sunday on Sept. 11.

The Chiefs put out a statement before the game explaining why they would be standing with their arms locked.

Previously, the 23-year-old Peters showed solidarity with Kaepernick, with words if not actions.

“It’s big. It’s real big what they’re doing,” Peters said Friday, according to Fox 4 in Kansas City, about Kaepernick’s stance being mimicked by some throughout the NFL. “I salute Colin for what he’s doing. He’s standing up for a great cause.

“I’m 100 percent behind him. I feel that what was going on in law enforcement, it does need to change. It does need to change for all, equal opportunities for everybody, not just us as black Americans. I feel that over the past year it’s been displayed what’s been going on across America and over across the world. Just on my piece, I don’t think nothing’s being done about it.”