Seahawks Bennett continues to sit for anthem in home opener

Posted September 17, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, center, is joined by teammates Thomas Rawls, left, and Justin Britt, right, as he sits during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) - Michael Bennett was the first Seattle Seahawks player announced during pregame introductions before the home opener against San Francisco, receiving one of the loudest ovations.

It was the second show of support for Seattle's outspoken defensive end on Sunday.

Outside of CenturyLink Field, a group of protesters supporting Bennett gathered prior to the game. The group expressed its support for Bennett after he says he was subjected to racial profiling and excessive force when Las Vegas police detained him last month. Protesters also showed support for quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who is still without a job after his anthem protests a year ago. It was a small protest with about 50 people participating.

Among those participating in the pregame rally was Bennett's younger brother, Reshaud.

"It means everything. It's always good to have your family support you and also a lot of people in the city to supporting me. I think it was just a really good thing," Bennett said after Seattle's 12-9 victory.

When the anthem began Sunday, Bennett took what's become his usual seat on the bench. Seattle center Justin Britt and running back Thomas Rawls stood next to Bennett each with a hand on his shoulder during the anthem. Teammates Cliff Avril and Frank Clark also sat with Bennett for the final few bars of the anthem.

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Katrina Johnson, second from right, speaks outside CenturyLink Field after a taking part in a march supporting Black Lives Matter and other social causes before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Seattle. Johnson is wearing the #72 jersey of Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, who has been a vocal supporter of various social issues, and who reached out to her family after Johnson's cousin, Charleena Lyles, was fatally shot by Seattle Police earlier in the year. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) The Associated Press

Demonstrators show support for Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett as they march outside CenturyLink Field before an NFL football game between the Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Seattle. Bennett has been a vocal supporter of Black Lives Matter and other social issues. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) The Associated Press

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