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Jay Gruden believed his team wouldn't protest, but four Washington players did

Players from several teams protested during and after the national anthem just before the early slate of NFL games on Sunday, including four Washington players, the first time any players from that franchise have joined in the protest movement:

Why is that noteworthy? Well a few weeks ago, Washington head coach Jay Gruden intimated that wouldn’t happen on his team.

Jay Gruden (AP)
Jay Gruden (AP)

“For the most part, we haven’t had that issue here,” Gruden said on Aug. 29. ” … We have a ton of respect for what goes on for our country with [military personnel]. For three minutes for us to take our helmet off and stand up and give respect is how we treat it here with the Redskins.”

The players didn’t kneel or sit, but they did protest, so it will be interesting to hear what Gruden’s reaction is if he’s asked about the players’ gesture after the game.

Also, it’s ironic that the coach of a team with a racist nickname would be so insistent on showing respect for others.

Earlier this week, Jackson posted a photo of Terence Crutcher to his Instagram account, writing in part, “No matter how much or what we stand 4 as black people this will continue to happen, another Love 1 is [taken] from his family and killed unarmed, when will this [expletive] stop, this man was shot & killed for what??”