President Donald Trump criticized NFL players who lodge pregame protests, saying in a speech in Alabama on Sept. 22 that he wished those players would be released. He also encouraged fans who are offended to walk out of stadiums. Several players and coaches reacted strongly to Trump on social media, and players -- joined by coaches and owners, in some instances -- across the league knelt, locked arms, raised their fists and even refused to come out of the locker room during the national anthem in Week 3. There were several more protests in Week 4. Vice President Mike Pence left the 49ers-Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in Week 5 because of protesting that took place during the anthem.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the pregame protest of racial oppression and inequality in the United States last season by sitting during the national anthem before a preseason game, then kneeling during the anthem throughout the season.
Previous protests this season: Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | Preseason
Here are the players who protested in Week 6 (most recent updates first):
Tennessee Titans: Wide receiver Rishard Matthews remained in the locker room during the anthem on Monday night for the third consecutive week. The rest of the team stood. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey raised a right fist after the anthem. -- Cameron Wolfe
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts wore their black T-shirts with the words “We will” on the front and “Stand for equality, justice, unity, respect, dialogue, opportunity” on the back during pregame warmups for the third straight week. And just like the past two weeks, the players stood with their arms locked during the national anthem in Nashville. -- Mike Wells
Oakland Raiders: Marshawn Lynch sat at the beginning of the national anthem before Sunday's game against the Chargers, as he has since the preseason began. He was standing, however, during a moment of silence for the victims of the North Bay fires, before which former Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch, who lost his home in Santa Rosa, announced the Raiders were donating $1 million to the relief effort. Lynch has not said why he has remained seated during the national anthem since joining the Raiders. He wore a T-shirt before the team's Week 4 game that read "EVERYBODY -VS- TRUMP." -- Paul Gutierrez
Los Angeles Chargers: Left tackle Russell Okung stood with the rest of his teammates during the national anthem, raising his right fist. Okung wrote an open letter to other NFL players on The Players' Tribune on Friday, with the goal of overcoming "uncharted territory" by opening a line of communication and responding with "one voice" as players. -- Eric D. Williams
Kansas City Chiefs: All players stood during the national anthem before the Chiefs' game against the Steelers, except for cornerback Marcus Peters and linebacker Ukeme Eligwe, who knelt. Peters has yet to stand for the anthem during the 2017 regular season. -- Adam Teicher
Los Angeles Rams: Outside linebacker Robert Quinn raised his right fist in the air and punter Johnny Hekker wrapped his arm around his waist in support before Sunday's game against the Jaguars, as has been the case for most of this season. -- Alden Gonzalez
San Francisco 49ers: In a departure from the past two weeks when more than 20 players knelt for the national anthem, there were seven 49ers kneeling during the anthem before Sunday’s game against Washington. Safety Eric Reid, safety Adrian Colbert, linebacker Dekoda Watson, receiver Marquise Goodwin, defensive lineman Arik Armstead, linebacker Eli Harold and cornerback K'Waun Williams knelt. The rest of the team locked arms and stood throughout the playing of the anthem. -- Nick Wagoner
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins as a team stood for the national anthem on the sideline before Sunday's game against the Falcons. Receiver Kenny Stills, safety Michael Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas, however, remained in the tunnel or locker room until the anthem was complete. All three players knelt before the Week 4 game against the Saints in London. -- James Walker
New Orleans Saints: Most of the Saints players briefly knelt in unity before the anthem against the Lions, like they did in their game in Week 4, which was their last game before the bye. They then all stood during the anthem, with several players and coaches locking arms. Their kneeling was met with loud boos from the crowd, and it occurred at the same time that the Superdome PA announcer requested a moment of silence for fallen New Orleans police officer Marcus McNeil. The crowd then cheered as players stood up. -- Mike Triplett
Philadelphia Eagles: Safety Malcolm Jenkins continued demonstrating for social justice by raising his first above his head during the national anthem prior to Thursday night's game at Carolina. Safety Rodney McLeod joined him by raising a fist. Defensive end Chris Long placed an arm around Jenkins as a sign of support, a gesture he has made since white nationalists held demonstrations in his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, this summer. -- Tim McManus