Donald Trump

Miami Dolphins United In Peaceful Protest After Trump Comments

"Just felt like the comments by the president were being used to scare us," a player said

The Miami Dolphins were united in protest during the national anthem on Sunday. Most were linked in arms, some took a knee, but player Jermon Bushrod said none wanted to offend their flag or the United States' most brave.

"Nobody wants to disrespect the flag or military. I love this country – just a tough situation where we felt like we needed to come together for issues like this," Bushrod said.

The protest spread accross the National Football League as dozens of players, and even some franchise owners, including the Dolphins' Stephen Ross, joined in arms or by taking a knee.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the controversial protest in 2016 when he took a knee to peacefully protest racial injustice in the United States.

Sunday's symbolic show-of-force occurred after President Donald Trump on Friday said NFL owners should fire players who decide to take a knee.

Trump reinforced his opinion before Sunday's games.

"If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

Several NFL owners criticized Trump's suggestion that players who kneel for the national anthem be fired.

The discontent over Trump's comment spread into the Dolphins' locker room and its players decided to take a stand, some by kneeling down.

"Just felt like the comments by the president were being used to scare us, to intimidate us," Miami Dolphins player Kenny Stills said.

But not all NFL players joined together in protest. Pittsburgh Steelers' lineman Alejandro Villanueva, a combat veteran, broke from his team's plan to skip the national anthem and instead saluted.

Florida Rep. Brian Mast, a veteran who lost both legs in Afghanistan, joined Trump in criticizing players who take a knee.

“The NFL doles out penalties for celebrating a touchdown, but won’t require respect for our flag?” Mast, a Republican who represents Palm City, wrote Monday on Facebook. “I have taken a knee after jumping out of a helicopter as we looked for the enemy, taken a knee in front of the Soldiers Cross as we mourned a fallen brother and taken a knee in church. Any player who has taken a knee to protest this great country during its anthem should already be gone.”

Dolphins head coach Adam Gase on Monday during a press conference did not praise or condemn the players' actions, or Trump's statements.

"I'm not going to comment on any of that stuff. I'm just a football coach trying to win games on Sunday," Gase said.

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