National Anthem Protests by Black Athletes Have a Long History

Related Link National anthem protests aren’t politicizing the NFL — it was already political

President Trump’s outbursts against professional athletes protesting racial injustice and the defiant response of N.F.L. teams on Sundaybrought a renewed focus on political demonstrations during the national anthem at sports events.

Such acts of protest, often by black athletes and carried out recently by quarterback Colin Kaepernick and others who have knelt for the anthem at N.F.L. games, have a long history in the United States and an equally lengthy tradition of angering mostly white fans, sports officials and politicians.

Here’s a look at some of these controversies...