Skip to content

Baldwin: Seahawks to put on pregame demonstration 'of unity'

Joe Nicholson / USA TODAY Sports

A number of Seahawks have expressed a desire to join San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in a public protest during the national anthem ahead of Seattle's Week 1 game on Sunday.

While receiver Doug Baldwin and linebacker Bobby Wagner have hinted at taking a knee or sitting on the bench, Baldwin confirmed his team's plans on Thursday.

"To express a desire to bring people together, our team will honor the country and flag in a pregame demonstration of unity," the receiver wrote on Twitter.

Kaepernick has drawn both praise and criticism for first sitting and then kneeling during "The Star-Spangled Banner." Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane also sat during the anthem during his team's final preseason game.

While other Seahawks noted they, too, would consider joining the boycott, Sunday's games fall on the 15-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Therefore, it's likely the team determined a demonstration with a negative connotation would draw ire from fans and citizens throughout the country.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox