Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall stood up Sunday night for the national anthem for the first time this season, a reaction to the Denver Police Department’s announcement that it would be rewriting its use-of-force policy.
Marshall was one of the first NFL players to take a knee in solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who first began kneeling during the national anthem in the preseason to protest police brutality and racism. But on Instagram Sunday night, Marshall posted that he would be standing for the national anthem going forward.
“Going forward, I will be standing for the National Anthem — not because everything is perfect, or because I’m changing my stance on things. But because of my hope for what we can become,” Marshall wrote in his Instagram post.
Anthem protests have spread throughout the NFL, as well as to the NBA, WNBA and high schools nationwide.
Marshall has received flack for his protests, and lost two endorsement deals. He didn’t let that stop his cause, as he has donated $300 for each tackle he makes to Denver organizations and programs that address “critical social issues.”
Denver Police Chief Robert White told the Denver Post the rewriting of the use-of-force policy will encourage officers to use the minimum amount of force necessary against people.
