If there’s some form of team-wide Eagles player demonstration before or during the national anthem Monday night, head coach Doug Pederson plans to be part of it.
Pederson, who said in the past he frowned on players kneeling or sitting during the anthem as a political protest, said he would be a part of anything the entire team participates in to draw attention to social injustice and inequality in the United States.
Pro Bowl safety Malcolm Jenkins said Friday he anticipates some sort of protest or demonstration by the Eagles prior to the team’s nationally televised Monday Night Football game against the Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago (see story). Jenkins said he doesn’t expect players to kneel during the anthem.
“Everybody wants to be a part of it and I feel like it's no different on our team,” Jenkins said on 94 WIP. “We got guys, especially myself, who feel very strongly about the topic. Last week, we talked about doing some stuff, but we wanted to make sure we didn't do anything to take away from the folks, the families that suffered from 9-11. We didn't want to mess with that day, so we left last week alone.
“But moving forward, I'm sure there will be guys that will probably join in.”
Pederson was asked if he would participate if a team-wide demonstration occurred.
“If it was team-wide, if they wanted to do something team-wide, I’d definitely be for that,” he said before practice Saturday. “I think it shows unity and there’s no division that way, and I think it sends a great message that from our standpoint, the National Football League and the platform and the individuals, we love this country and what it represents and the flag and the national anthem and everything.
“Listen, we’re not perfect, obviously, and for us to stand united that way, I’d go for that.”
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