Cowboys defensive end Michael Bennett said Monday he is now standing for the national anthem because his teammates asked him to upon being traded to Dallas last month.
Previously with the New England Patriots, Bennett had stayed in the locker room during the pregame playing of the national anthem. He also sat on the sidelines while the anthem played in 2017, when he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
But in two games with the Cowboys, Bennett has stood on the sideline — which owner Jerry Jones said he expected when trading for the 33-year-old.
Michael Bennett on standing for the anthem: “That’s what people want, they want what they want. I don’t have to say (what I’m protesting). I feel like its not my job to make somebody believe what I’m doing. If they don’t believe in it what can I tell them?”
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) November 11, 2019
Cowboys DT Michael Bennett said he is now standing for the anthem for the first time since 2016 because his teammates asked him to. He said it doesn’t change his fight for social justice and what he has done. https://t.co/OzTCJhjALv
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) November 12, 2019
In his work outside of football, Bennett is an activist for a number of social causes, including racial injustice.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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