Chris Long wrapped his left arm around teammate Malcolm Jenkins, who continued to raise his right fist in protest over racial injustice, during the national anthem before the Eagles' preseason game against the Bills on Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Jenkins has been raising his fist since the start of last season. He issued a statement before last week's preseason opener that said he would continue the act throughout this year. Other NFL players, such as the Seahawks'
Michael Bennett and the Raiders' Marshawn Lynch, have sat during the anthem this preseason.
Bennett recently said that the cause would have a greater impact if white players also participated. Long is white, and while his intent wasn't immediately clear, the Eagles defensive end has been outspoken since the events in Charlottesville, Va., this past week.
Long considers Charlottesville, Va., his hometown _ he also went to the University of Virginia _ and he was critical of the white nationalists who gathered to protest the removal of the General Robert E. Lee statue. He and Jenkins also lambasted President Trump after he cited "both sides" as being at fault in the violence that eventually led to the death of a counter-protester.
Last year, Colin Kaepernick garnered national attention when he chose to kneel during the anthem. The ex-49ers quarterback, who isn't on an NFL roster now, was initially responding to cases of police brutality against men of color throughout America.
Jenkins would follow his lead, although the Eagles safety opted for another image. Cornerback Ron Brooks, defensive end Steven Means, and former Eagles defensive end Marcus Smith _ all of whom are black _ joined their teammate by also lifting their fists during the 2016 road opener in Chicago.
Brooks was eventually the only one to continue raising his fist with Jenkins, but he suffered a season-ending injury in October.
The Eagles had discussed raising their fists collectively as a team before the Bears game, but some players were uncomfortable with the idea. A few white players had discussed possibly joining Jenkins as a sign of solidarity, but those plans were ultimately scrapped.
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