The Seattle Seahawks did not sit down or take a knee Sunday afternoon during the national anthem, as had been widely reported in the run up to their opening game.
Instead the team gave many patriotic fans reason to breathe a sigh of relief by locking arms in a demonstration of unity and brotherhood on the 15th anniversary of 9/11.
Players of several teams had been sitting out the national anthem, a trend started by San Francisco 49ers’ black quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who said he was protesting America’s treatment of its African-American citizens.
This trend had been followed by, among others, Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane in the preseason.
Yet on Sunday all of the Seahawks, from coach to cornerback, stood as one.
Before the anthem was a special message by President Obama.
“It’s Sunday. If we are in America. That means it is time for football,” Obama said in a pre-recorded message that celebrated Americans, “a big hearted people full of courage and optimism,” and their response to the attacks of 9/11.
A few members of game rival Miami Dolphins did take a knee, but respectfully, with hands over their hearts. Then it was time for the kickoff, and the long national football drought came to an end.
