Most Ravens kneel during national anthem before opener in ‘demonstration for justice and equality for all Americans’
Several Ravens players took a knee during the playing of the national anthem in a “demonstration for justice and equality for all Americans” before the team’s season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey and outside linebacker Matthew Judon took a knee during the playing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” otherwise known as the Black National Anthem, which was played before “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
As part of initiatives to show its support for the fight against social injustice and racial inequality, the NFL announced it would be playing “Lift Every Voice and Sing" before “The Star-Spangled Banner” for its Week 1 games.
“We respect and support our players' right to protest peacefully,” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a news release shortly after kickoff. "This was a demonstration for justice and equality for all Americans. These are core values we can all support.
