Brandon Marshall of the Denver Broncos will lose money after deciding to stand in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick by kneeling during the National Anthem. Marshall was a college teammate of Kaepernick and they also pledged at the same fraternity.
Before the Broncos opened the season against the Carolina Panthers, Marshall took a knee during the National Anthem and later explained why decided to follow through with the silent protest.
“I’m not against the military,” Marshall said following the game. “I’m not against the police or America. I’m against social injustice.”
But Marshall’s decision to kneel during the National Anthem will cost him money. According to a post on the Facebook page belonging to Air Academy Federal Union, Marshall will no longer serve as an endorser.
“Although we have enjoyed Brandon Marshall as our spokesperson over the past five months, Air Academy Federal Credit Union has ended our partnership,” CEO Glenn Strebe said in a statement. “While we respect Brandon’s right pf expression, his actions are not a representation of our organization and membership. We wish Brandon well on his future endeavors.”
Although the AAFCU has a right to disagree with Marshall’s actions, their decision may be viewed as a protest against the protest of racism and injustice.
Since Kaepernick revealed his protest of the National Anthem, dozens of current and former athletes have shared opinions on the matter. Current NFL players such as Eric Reid (49ers) and Jeremy Lane (Seattle Seahawks) have taken have followed Kaepernick by taking a knee during the National Anthem.
