CLEVELAND _ Kneeling in a circle in front of the bench, more than a dozen Browns staged the largest national anthem protest seen in the NFL over the past two seasons before Monday night's home game against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Others, including rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer, stood next to the gathering with their hands on a teammate's shoulder.
The majority of the group were African-American players. But tight end Seth DeValve was among those kneeling and punter Britton Colquitt stood behind them, looking up and pointing to the sky. DeValve and Colquitt are white.
Participants kneeling or sitting included linebackers Jamie Collins and Christian Kirkskey, running backs Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson and Terrence Magee, safeties Calvin Pryor and Jabrill Peppers, cornerback Jamar Taylor and wide receivers Kenny Britt and Ricardo Louis.
Also standing near the circle were offensive linemen Marcus Martin and Shon Coleman and cornerback Jason McCourty.
At halftime, the Browns released a statement from an unnamed spokesperson.
"As an organization, we have a profound respect for our country's National Anthem, flag and the servicemen and servicewomen in the United States and abroad," it said. "We feel it's important for our team to join in this great tradition and special moment of recognition, at the same time we also respect the great liberties afforded by our country, including the freedom of personal expression."
Anthem protests have been revived since last weekend's violent clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Va., that resulted in three deaths.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kapernick began the protest against social injustice and police brutality against African Americans last season.
This preseason, Oakland Raiders quarterback David Carr, who is white, put his hand on the shoulder of defensive end Khalil Mack on Saturday night in a sign of solidarity. On Thursday, Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins raised his fist over his head while defensive end Chris Long, who is white, kept his hand on Jenkins' back throughout the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner." Cornerback Ron Brooks, who raised a fist with Jenkins before multiple games last season, took a knee in front of them.
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett has sat during the national anthem in the first two preseason games and in the second was joined by cornerback Jeremy Lane and center Justin Britt. Britt, who is white, stood by Bennett with a hand on his shoulder, while Lane stood facing both.
Bennett had called for participation from white players and after Friday's game, Bennett said he felt the support from Britt was important.
"To be able to have him do that, I think it shows a lot of players and I think it's going to give a lot of other players courage to be able to move forward and keep trying to share that message of love and that message of unity and to be able to build that bridge," Bennett said, according to USA Today. "I think it's about building that bridge to the other side and to be able to share our journey together."
Browns coach Hue Jackson said on Aug. 14 he hoped none of his players would protest by sitting or kneeling during the national anthem, a comment that came under fire from Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, an analyst on Fox Sports 1.
Sharpe called Jackson a "clown," saying on Undisputed the coach is selling out and letting down the black community.
On Thursday, Jackson wouldn't comment on Sharpe's remarks, but read from a prepared statement.
"The intent of my comments was not to discourage individual expression from our players in light of a cause that moves them to personal expression," Jackson said. "I'm disheartened that I gave anyone that impression because I did not speak with enough clarity.
"However, my words did reflect my concern that I would express to any player about protesting during the anthem. There are many effective ways athletes can utilize their platform if they so desire, but I would respect any individual decision as ultimately it would be the player's choice after much thoughtful dialogue."
