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NFL Opening Weekend Brings Player Protests During National Anthem

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From left, Miami Dolphins' Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills, kneel during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Seattle. (Stephen Brashear/AP)
From left, Miami Dolphins' Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills, kneel during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Seattle. (Stephen Brashear/AP)

A number of players made gestures during the national anthem during this weekend's NFL opening day.

Kansas City Chief players locked arms, as did Seattle Seahawk players. Two New England Patriots players raised a fist in the air after the anthems, and a number of Miami Dolphins players kneeled.

Many of the players have said they want to draw attention to injustices facing African Americans.

Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson speaks with The Atlantic's Derek Thompson about what the protests and what they mean.

Guest

Derek Thompson, senior editor at The Atlantic. He tweets @DKThomp.

This segment aired on September 12, 2016.

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