The Patriots players made their statement, and many fans made their own in response.
Before Sunday’s Texans-Patriots matchup in Foxborough, Mass., about 20 Patriots players, according to ESPN, took a knee during the national anthem, the first time anyone on the team had joined the growing protest.
In return, a loud chorus of boos was heard sandwiching the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” According to the Boston Herald, there were shouts of “Stand up” as they knelt.
Tom Brady, the face of the team and the league, did not take a knee, but stood with his arms locked with other players and his hand over his chest.
The Patriots have been intertwined with Donald Trump — Brady, coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft have been pals with the president. After Trump’s attack on the protests, though — saying owners should cut ties with “the son of a bitch” who kneels during the anthem — Kraft said he was “deeply disappointed” in Trump.
It’s been a Sunday in which not just players, but owners, executives and fans have been forced to take sides. There were similar reports of booing in Indianapolis, too.