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Adrian Peterson says NFL players are 'all ready to take a knee together' during national anthem

Drew Brees has apparently strengthened the resolve of black NFL players who were upset at Brees’ comments about not disrespecting the flag.

Washington’s Adrian Peterson, one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, seemed to speak for a majority of players when he said they plan to kneel during the national anthem this season.

Peterson said he plans to take a knee this season and he’s not the only one.

Adrian Peterson: Players ready to kneel

Peterson made the comments during a food drive in Texas. Peterson grew up in Houston. His quotes come from Greg Bailey of KTRK and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

In 2016, the story that overshadowed the NFL was Kaepernick and other players kneeling to bring attention to police brutality and social injustice. Donald Trump used it to rally his base on the campaign trail, and NFL owners reacted in fear over what Trump would tweet about them. Television ratings dropped and those against Kaepernick’s message took credit, though there was never any evidence to back that up.

The issue pretty much faded away. Now the NFL has to confront it again.

From left, San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold, quarterback Colin Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid kneel during the national anthem before an NFL game in 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

NFL awkwardly handled kneeling first time around

The NFL awkwardly handled the whole situation. Owners overreacted to Trump using the issue as political fodder, something he did again after Brees’ controversial comments. The league didn’t know how to handle the entire issue, making clumsy attempts to figure out a policy. The NFL had to pay off Kaepernick when he brought a collusion case against the owners. Kaepernick is still unsigned.

The issue faded but the feelings from players didn’t. Plenty are still not happy their voices were silenced. Kaepernick lost his job in the NFL, as teams made poor excuses for why he was passed over.

Some players weren’t happy with the NFL’s reaction to recent protests after George Floyd’s death in the custody of Minneapolis police. Many players ripped Brees this week for his comments. And now they’re ready to take a knee in the fall.

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