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Jeter supports players' right to 'peaceful' protest

Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY Sports

As new part-owner of the Miami Marlins, Derek Jeter is the most recognizable face of the front office. As such, he gets asked questions specific to his role, but also about his thoughts regarding the goings-on in sports culture.

At his Turn 2 Foundation's 21st anniversary dinner on Wednesday night, he addressed players protesting during the national anthem before games. According to Christian Red of the New York Daily News, Jeter supports players' rights to do so.

"The thing that I think is frustrating, this whole rhetoric that is going back and forth. People lose sight of the fact of why someone was kneeling," said Jeter. "They're focused so much on the fact that they are kneeling as opposed to what they're kneeling for. Peaceful protests are fine. You have your right to voice your opinion. As long as it's a peaceful protest, everyone should be fine with that."

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first professional athlete to protest in this fashion before a game. It was designed to draw attention to police brutality and racial inequality in the United States, the purpose of which Jeter references has been lost in the controversy.

Jeter didn't say if he would kneel during the anthem, however, adding that he's no longer an active player.

No members of the Marlins have knelt during the anthem, and Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell was the first to do so in September. Jeter says he will support the players on his team if they do decide to take a knee.

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