At the very least, Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel for the national anthem has raised awareness about why he's doing it, which he explained last month: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color." 
 
 Granted, the issue has been a contentious one, and as President Obama pointed out this week, the way Kaepernick has chosen to deliver is message might be "messy" but this is how "democracy works." 
 
 But Kaepernick also isn't alone; over the weekend, United States Women's National Team member Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem prior to her club team's game, and fellow NFL player, Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane did the same. Lane says he will continue to sit and he could have company from teammates. 
 
 Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin is considering following Lane's lead, while linebacker Bobby Wagner said the team has been talking about taking action as a group. 
 
 Details via the Seattle Times' Bob Condotta: 
 
 While Wagner said he didn't know if he would sit down during the anthem he said "anything we want to do, it's not going to be individual. It's going to be a team thing. That's what the world needs to see. The world needs to see people coming together versus being individuals." Wagner said he couldn't say exactly what the team might do, saying "whatever we decide to do will be a big surprise." 
 
 Meanwhile, Lane has the full support of Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. 
 
 "[Lane's] pretty clear on what he did and what he was trying to express and I think it is very simple and so we'll leave that up to him," Carroll said. "But he understands the responsibility of it, I think, and shouldering it.'' 
 
 Wagner added: "We have the freedom to do whatever we want here. Whatever we decide to do, we ain't gonna get into too much trouble. We're big kids now." 
 
 And Baldwin said he didn't think there would be any issues in the locker room, even if some players disagreed with the idea of sitting during the anthem. 
 
 "It's different in our locker room," he explained. "We kind of give each other a lot of slack, so whatever decisions you make, we understand we are all human beings. Some of us might not agree, some of us will agree. But at the same time we give each other slack because we know we are all human beings." 
 
 One person that won't have a problem with Lane -- or others: Defensive end Michael Bennett. 
 
 "I mean I think it's his right to be able to protest," Bennett said last week, when Lane first made his stance by sitting. "And I think it's all right. I think there are definitely some issues in America that a lot of people are starting to recognize. I think people have recognized them before but I think with social media and the things that are going on out there, the media outlets, everybody has a chance to really show what is going on and their ideas and having a chance to really protest what they think is wrong with America and that's OK, that's what it's about. It's about people having that right to have their voice and I think it's cool that Jeremy Lane is doing what he wants to do." 
 
 The Seahawks host the Dolphins on Sunday in the regular-season opener, which just so happens to fall on September 11. ||||| Colin Kaepernick’s protest of the national anthem has been spreading across the sports world, now a division rival may be embracing it. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane has already joined the protest, and now linebacker Bobby Wagner and receiver Doug Baldwin may join him. In fact, the entire Seahawks roster may sit in solidarity with the San Francisco 49ers quarterback. 
 
 Wagner said he didn’t know if he was going to sit but that, “anything we want to do, it’s not going to be individual. It’s going to be a team thing. That’s what the world needs to see. The world needs to see people coming together versus being individuals.” 
 
 When asked if other players on the team have considered joining Lane’s protest, Baldwin said, “our locker room has discussed it. So we’ll see.” 
 
 Baldwin said he has heard from veterans who have supported a series of tweets he posted defending the protest. He had the following to say about it: 
 
 “My grandfather being in the military, it hit home for me as well, and specifically it’s the veterans. That’s more heartening to me than anything is the veterans that have reached out and said that’s what they fought for, that’s what they sacrificed their lives for, is to give people back home under the flag, under this country, the opportunity to stand up or sit for what they believe in.” 
 
 Baldwin also said he has been in contact with Kaepernick over the last few days. 
 
 Wagner said the Seahawks organization and coaches won’t dictate what the players do. 
 
 “We have the freedom to do whatever we want here. Whatever we decide to do, we ain’t gonna get into too much trouble. We’re big kids now.” 
 
 When it closes in on kickoff at CenturyLink Field on Sunday all eyes will be on the Seahawks to see what they decide to do. ||||| The Chicago Bears lock arms during the national anthem before the team's NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores) (Associated Press) 
 
 The Chicago Bears lock arms during the national anthem before the team's NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores) (Associated Press) 
 
 Player demonstrations took place during the national anthem at several early NFL preseason games Thursday night. 
 
 In Philadelphia, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and cornerback De'Vante Bausby raised their fists during the anthem, and defensive end Chris Long placed his arm around Jenkins' shoulder. Jenkins had stopped his demonstration last December. 
 
 Defensive end Michael Bennett walked out of the tunnel during the anthem and walked toward the bench while it played. It appeared all the Steelers stood. 
 
 "Everybody is waiting for what the league is going to do," Jenkins said. "We won't let it stop what we stand for. I was very encouraged last year with the direction and that obviously took a different turn. 
 
 "I think it's important to utilize the platform as we can because for whatever reason, we have framed this demonstration in a negative light, and often players have to defend why we feel the need to fight for everyday Americans, and in actuality we're doing the right thing." 
 
 At Miami, Dolphins receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson and defensive end Robert Quinn protested during the anthem. Stills and Wilson kneeled behind teammates lined up standing along the sideline. Quinn stood and raised his right fist. There were no apparent protests by the Buccaneers. 
 
 "As a black man in this world, I've got an obligation to raise awareness," Quinn said. "If no one wants to live in unity, that's why we're in the situation we're in." 
 
 Stills kneeled during the anthem during the 2016-17 seasons and has been vocal discussing social injustice issues that inspired the protest movement by NFL players. 
 
 Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a leader of the movement, tweeted support for Stills and Wilson. 
 
 "My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee," the tweet said. "Albert Wilson joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers!" 
 
 And in Seattle, three Seahawks players ran into the team's locker room prior to the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." 
 
 Defensive linemen Branden Jackson and Quinton Jefferson, and offensive lineman Duane Brown left the field following team introductions and before the start of the anthem. They returned to the sideline immediately after it concluded. All three were among a group of Seattle players that sat during the anthem last season. 
 
 Brown and Jefferson said they intend to continue the action all season. Seattle coach Pete Carroll said the team discussed the topic and decided to support individual decisions. Brown said he didn't believe there had been much progress made from the demonstrations of last season. 
 
 "Everyone was clear on my decision and understands and supports it," Brown said. "We all have different realities in this country and they understand my perspective. We're all on good terms." 
 
 In Jacksonville, four Jaguars remained in the locker room during the national anthem, and team officials said it would be up to the players to explain why they weren't on the field. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebacker Telvin Smith, and running backs Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon joined teammates on the sideline after the anthem. 
 
 "As a man, I got certain beliefs," said Smith, who wore "Salute the Service" cleats. "You know what I mean? This is not going to become a distraction, and Jacksonville's not going to become a distraction for this team. I got beliefs. I did what I did. I don't know if it's going to be every week, can't answer if it's going to be every week. 
 
 "But as a man I've got to stand for something. I love my team, I'm dedicated to my teammates, and that's what we're talking about. I did what I did. It was love. I hope people see it and respect it. I respect views." 
 
 At Baltimore, both teams stood, but while most of the Ravens lined up shoulder to shoulder on the sideline, second-year linebacker Tim Williams stood alone in front of the bench with his back toward the field. 
 
 All of the players on each team at New England appeared to stand for the national anthem, some bowing their heads and others placing their hands on their hearts. The Patriots observed a moment of silence beforehand for Weymouth, Massachusetts, police officer Michael Chesna, who was killed last month in the line of duty. 
 
 The league and the players' union have yet to announce a policy for this season regarding demonstrations during the anthem after the league initially ordered everyone to stand on the sideline when "The Star-Spangled Banner" is played, or remain in the locker room. 
 
 "The NFL has been engaged in constructive discussions with the NFL Players Association regarding the anthem and issues of equality and social justice that are of concern to many Americans," league spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email. 
 
 "While those discussions continue, the NFL has agreed to delay implementing or enforcing any club work rules that could result in players being disciplined for their conduct during the performance of the anthem. 
 
 "Meanwhile, there has been no change in the NFL's policy regarding the national anthem. The anthem will continue to be played before every game, and all player and non-player personnel on the field at that time are expected to stand during the presentation of the flag and performance of the anthem. Personnel who do not wish to do so can choose to remain in the locker room. 
 
 "We remain committed to working with the players to identify solutions and to continue making progress on important social issues affecting our communities." 
 
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– Colin Kaepernick's protest of the national anthem appears to be snowballing. Two Seattle Seahawks players have insinuated they may do something as a team during the national anthem prior to Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. "Anything we want to do, it's not going to be individual," the Big Lead quotes linebacker Bobby Wagner as saying. "It's going to be a team thing." Following teammate Jeremy Lane's solo act of protest during a preseason game, receiver Doug Baldwin says the "locker room has discussed" joining in. According to CBS Sports, coach Pete Carroll is already on record supporting Lane's right to protest, and Wagner isn't worried about reprisals. "Whatever we decide to do, we ain't gonna get into too much trouble," he says. "We're big kids now."