Marshawn Lynch sparked controversy on Sunday (November 19) when he selected to stand during Mexico's national song after sitting for the Star Spangled Banner.
Lynch has maintained that he's remained seated for the National Anthem throughout his career, ever since the media rushed to find out why he didn't stand during the patriotic pregame ceremony that preceded 2017's first preseason game. Of course, Lynch had retired from the Seattle Seahawks in 2015, and thus, wasn't in the league to draw any attention to himself when Kaepernick took his stand throughout last year's NFL season. Through 11 weeks this season, Lynch has abstained from the anthem ceremony though.
Oakland fans may have been too upset about the 33-8 losing performance their Raiders put up before Mexico City's 77,357 fans at Azteca Stadium, to be occupied with their feelings about Lynch's decision. But in the hours that followed the game, national news outlets and blogs have ensured that it remains a topic of conversation for the next several days. Mexico has its own culture of support for service men and women, which became apparent when the venue honored some of the nation's first responders during half-time. But, as some on social media are pointing out in hindsight of Lynch's decision to stand; the country also has its own societal issues concerning racism.
