NFL's Marshawn Lynch Sits for National Anthem, Says He's Been Doing So for 11 Years

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch sat during a pre-season football game this weekend while the National Anthem played.

“[Lynch] said, ‘This is something I’ve done for 11 years. It’s not a form of anything other than me being myself,’” Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. “I said, ‘So you understand how I feel. I very strongly believe in standing for the national anthem, but I’m going to respect you as a man. You do your thing, and we’ll do ours.’ So that’s a non-issue for me.”

NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick made headlines last NFL season when he took a knee during the National Anthem. He remains a free agent.