Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins was one of the more vocal supporters of Colin Kaepernick's season long protest in response to police brutality throughout the 2016 season, and whether or not Kaepernick returns, he plans on carrying the fight forward into the future.
As was the case last year, Jenkins had his fist in the air for the duration of the Star Spangled Banner played prior to Philly's pre-season game against Green Bay on Thursday, August 10. Players would eventually begin to join Kaepernick's protest in each their own unique fashion, with some kneeling like Kaepernick had and others linking arms. At least one player, Mike Evans, even took it back to sitting the anthem out altogether, following Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton, but he'd resume standing the following week. Jenkins raised his fist for all 16 weeks but one. Out of respect for the victims of the World Trade Center attacks, he stood in conformity for the anthem on 9/11.
“Last season, I raised my fist as a sign of solidarity to support people, especially people of color, who were and are still unjustly losing their lives at the hands of officers with little to no consequence,” Jenkins said before heading out to compete in Thursday's game. “After spending time with police officers on ride-alongs, meeting with politicians on the state and federal level and grass roots organizations fighting for human rights, it's clear that our criminal justice system is still crippling communities of color through mass incarceration.”
Source: nydailynews.com
