As expected, Seattle Seahawks players linked arms during Sunday’s national anthem as a show of unity.
You can see video of the moment above, and here’s another angle from inside the stadium:
Leading up to Seattle’s Week 1 matchup with the Miami Dolphins at CenturyLink Field, there was rampant speculation about how the Seahawks were going to show solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has recently sat during the anthem in a protest against police brutality and social inequality.
On Saturday, Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin revealed Seattle’s plans via a video on Twitter:
In the video, Baldwin states:
We are a team comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds. And as a team we have chosen to stand and interlock arms in unity. We honor those who have fought for the freedom we cherish. And we stand to assure the riches of freedom and the security of justice for all people. Progress can and will be made only if we stand together.
Quarterback Russell Wilson linked to the same video on Instagram, writing, “CHANGE can Only happen TOGETHER. Unity. Love. Forgiveness. Change. We are linking arms and standing to Stand Up for Social Injustice, Love and Peace for All.”
The show of unity during the national anthem carries special significance on Sunday, with it being the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Head coach Pete Carroll said Friday he supports his team’s decision:
They’re going to be very thoughtful, very respectful, honoring that which should be recognized. I’m just really proud of how they’ve gone through it. They have a conscience about what they’re doing, and they really want to do the right thing and be right. I’m just proud of the way they’ve gone through it. These are young men that are growing and they’re trying to figure out the world themselves. They want to try to make sense of how they can have impact and how they can affect others. I just couldn’t be more proud of the way they’ve gone through it. We’ll see on the weekend that I think they’re going to do a very, very good thing.
The Seahawks also have the support of Nate Boyer, a former United States Green Beret and long snapper.