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Seattle Seahawks Star Michael Bennett Sits Out National Anthem in Protest

HeadlineAug 17, 2017

And in sports news, Seattle Seahawks star Michael Bennett sat on the sidelines during the playing of the national anthem Sunday, ahead of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bennett said last weekend’s neo-Nazi violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, inspired him to take a stand.

Michael Bennett: “I just want to be able to use my platform to be able to continue to speak on injustices. First of all, I want to make sure people understand I love the military. I love—my father was in the military. I love hot dogs like any other American. I love football like any other American. But I don’t love segregation. I don’t love riots. I don’t love oppression. I don’t love gender slander. And I just want to see people have the equality that they deserve.”

Click here to see our extended interview with the NFL star. Meanwhile, NBA star LeBron James took a jab at President Trump Tuesday during a charitable fundraiser, calling Trump the “so-called president of the United States” during a speech calling for healing after the weekend’s violence in Charlottesville.

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