The NFL could see a new wave of player protests during the 2020 season after Adrian Peterson made it clear he will kneel during the national anthem.
According to Bleacher Report, Peterson will “without a doubt” take a knee during the playing of our national anthem.
Peterson, through his foundation, has been outspoken to “condemn any form of racism, bigotry, and intolerance.”
The star running also recently shared the following message, showing his determination to help others.
The veteran Washington Redskins running back has also been active distributing food and supplies in Houston.
Peterson and his wife also recently donated $100,000 to help with COVID-19 relief.
The anthem is once more front and center in the NFL
As peaceful protesters have congregated in cities across America in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Colin Kaepernick has once again moved into the forefront of our thinking. Many have concluded that his silent protest — taking a knee during the anthem — was something to have been heeded, rather than excoriated. The league itself has admitted it made a mistake not listening to players, and is offering public support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Some teams have preemptively said anything players would do to protest would be a team-wide decision. Other teams have been more open-minded about the idea that some players will want individual freedom. Regardless, it would not be surprising in the least if many more players took a knee during the national anthem in 2020.
This whole conversation was thrust even more into the spotlight last week when New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said he’d “never agree with anyone disrespecting the flag.” Pro athletes across the nation vehemently opposed his message, and it clearly was a problem for Brees in his own locker room. After some honest conversations, in the end Brees came around 100% to the point of calling out President Donald Trump over the issue.