Broncos linebacker voiced his objection to the NFL’s anthem policy that was announced at Wednesday’s owners meetings.
The new rule: Players must stand for the anthem if they are on the sideline, but have the option of staying in the locker room.
“I don’t like it,” Marshall said after the Broncos’ third organized team activity. “I understand it, though. I understand what they’re trying to protect – they’re trying to protect the shield.”
This morning, President Donald Trump endorsed the NFL’s new policy.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said, “You have to stand proudly for the national anthem and the NFL owners did the right thing, if thatap what they’ve done. You have to stand proudly for the national anthem or you shouldn’t be playing. You shouldn’t be there. Maybe you shouldn’t be in this country.”
Relayed those comments, Marshall had a strong response.
“Obviously, that statement right there, to me, is disgusting,” Marshall said. “Freedom of speech, freedom to protest — because somebody decides to protest, we (should) get kicked out of the country? Thatap not how things should work. … Just because somebody has an issue with something thatap going on in this country doesn’t mean they should pack up and leave. Thatap absurd.”
Part of the league’s policy is teams are subject to fines if their players don’t follow the rules.
“Letap be clear: I know they say they’ll fine a team, but players don’t care about that,” Marshall said. “Players don’t care about the team getting fined.”
Marshall, a college teammate of , knelt for the anthem before the September 2016 opener against Carolina and for the first two months of the season.
Last September, Marshall was one of 32 Broncos to kneel for the anthem before their game at Buffalo, days after Trump said players should be “fired,” if they kneel.
Marshall said he and teammates have only had “preliminary conversations because nobody understands it fully,” so he has not made a decision about if he will stay in the locker room.
Cornerback Chris Harris said he will “probably” be on the sideline for the anthem.
“Itap something that they made clear-cut for us,” Harris said. “I don’t think it will be an issue at all. Itap our choice. If you (stay) in the locker room for the anthem, then as soon as the anthem is over, you’ll be right back on the field.”
Staff writer Kyle Fredrickson contributed to this report.
