President Donald Trump's scathing criticism of national anthem protesters on Friday was met with the amplification of those protests, as well as their detractors. On Sunday, every NFL team and every team player was under pressure to choose either the president's side, or the protesters' side.
Here's what every team in the NFL did to address the controversial issue.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Several team members spoke out against Trump, but they will play the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, during which some are anticipated to protest.
They also put out a statement about the protests:
Statement from Cardinals President Michael Bidwill. https://t.co/IZ99pSSJXx— Arizona Cardinals (@Arizona Cardinals) 1506297266.0
ATLANTA FALCONS
Two players kneeled, while many locked arms in solidarity, including the owner, who put out a statement afterward in support of the demonstrations.
Statement from Arthur Blank: https://t.co/20DH3DHc4e— Atlanta Falcons (@Atlanta Falcons) 1506206729.0
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Many players took a knee and locked arms in the early game broadcast from London.
#TakeTheKnee Players from Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens dropped to their knees after Trump's comments pic.twitter.com/kAJ6ALUm5k
— United States Trends (@Trends4USA) September 24, 2017
BUFFALO BILLS
Several players locked arms and knelt down during the national anthem.
Running back LeSean McCoy appeared to be stretching during the national anthem.
LeSean McCoy stretches during the national anthem. Video courtesy @JennaCottrell @WKBW @13WHAM #Bills pic.twitter.com/2tT4NmdoD8
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 24, 2017
After the game he called the president a "jerk."
"I cant stand & support something where our leader of this country is acting like a jerk."
LeSean McCoy on why he protested during anthem: pic.twitter.com/FvPFpZH9LB
— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) September 24, 2017
CAROLINA PANTHERS
All but one player stood during the national anthem. Julius Peppers stayed in the locker room.
Carolina Panthers (@Panthers)
DE Julius Peppers was not on the field for the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/ZNAR5EdBc4
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 24, 2017
CHICAGO BEARS
Players locked arms, but stood during the anthem.
Great shot from our @Ashlee_Rezin of #Bears during anthem https://t.co/oR6frAkuCe— Patrick Finley (@Patrick Finley) 1506273619.0
CINCINNATTI BENGALS
Some players locked arms, but all stood for the national anthem.
#Bengals players lock arms during national anthem before game against Packers. @Enquirer https://t.co/5YhVVCgviH— Kareem Elgazzar (@Kareem Elgazzar) 1506284650.0
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Many players kneeled and locked arms.
DALLAS COWBOYS
The Cowboys will play tonight on Monday night football.
DENVER BRONCOS
Many knelt, many locked arms.
Large contingent of Broncos kneeling for the anthem. Von Miller included. https://t.co/OBeAYKHgYP— Ryan Koenigsberg (@Ryan Koenigsberg) 1506272281.0
Broncos national anthem. #4Broncos https://t.co/PKrkyyPAEQ— Michael Spencer (@Michael Spencer) 1506272647.0
DETROIT LIONS
Several players knelt while others locked arms, including the owner of the team.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Most locked arms, three players sat, and one knelt during the national anthem.
Most #Packers stand linking arms during anthem. T. Montgomery kneels on sideline, L. Kendricks, K. King and M. Benn… https://t.co/iQg9IiUIXR— Chris Barriere (@Chris Barriere) 1506284619.0
HOUSTON TEXANS
All Texans stood for the anthem, many locked arms in solidarity.
All #Texans stand for anthem. Some Patriots kneel and are booed briefly. https://t.co/zMeCLI4d7u— Greg Bailey (@Greg Bailey) 1506272303.0
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Many knelt during the national anthem.
Various #colts players lock arms and kneel during national anthem https://t.co/dlrnsZji9X— Mykal McEldowney (@Mykal McEldowney) 1506272435.0
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Several players knelt in this game from London. Their owner stood in solidarity with them, locking arms.
Members of the Ravens and Jaguars kneeled during the national anthem in response to Trump tweets including Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. pic.twitter.com/fGrfIoRtdz
— Jessie 🇰🇪 (@JMKTV) September 24, 2017
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Several players took a knee during the national anthem.
Beautiful photo of Justin Houston kneeling during the anthem while several Kansas City Chiefs teammates take a knee… https://t.co/r6rqpwbJoB— Adam Best (@Adam Best) 1506285358.0
Kansas City @Chiefs Travis Kelce took a knee today during the national anthem. This is what true allyship looks lik… https://t.co/RCcqsrXclx— Michael Skolnik (@Michael Skolnik) 1506311574.0
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Some players sat for the national anthem.
The Chargers locked arms during the national anthem today. Some players sat down. https://t.co/xMTgbJDpMU— Arash Markazi (@Arash Markazi) 1506284673.0
LOS ANGELES RAMS
The Rams played their game on Thursday Night before Trump's comments. Later, the team put out a statement in support of players protesting.
Statement from Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. https://t.co/OJ3vFbPNwn— Los Angeles Rams (@Los Angeles Rams) 1506268073.0
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Players locked arms, including the owner. Five members took a knee.
The #Dolphins locked arms as a team & five members of the team - including 4 starters - took knelt during the natio… https://t.co/JOJPvkrmgA— Omar Kelly (@Omar Kelly) 1506275464.0
Unity. https://t.co/KfP32AkYz0— Miami Dolphins (@Miami Dolphins) 1506273132.0
Some players wore shirts in support of formers 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started the protests last season.
Dolphins' Jay Ajayi among players wearing T-shirts in support of Colin Kaepernick anthem protest before Sunday's Je… https://t.co/aYpRAWiGJy— Miami Herald (@Miami Herald) 1506269358.0
Safety Michael Thomas seemed to get emotional talking about it after the game.
Dolphins safety Michael Thomas started breaking up when talking about Trump calling him "a son of a b!tch." pic.twitter.com/Z4wroPcvzW
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) September 24, 2017
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Vikings locked arms, standing for the nation anthem.
#Vikings owners/players arm in arm for the National Anthem. @kare11 https://t.co/clXazIjfCf— Brandon McCauley (@Brandon McCauley) 1506272409.0
#Vikings players locking arms with coaches & front office. Some standing with hands over hearts as well for Nationa… https://t.co/RAvtE3ovhk— Hobie Artigue (@Hobie Artigue) 1506272584.0
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Numerous players took a knee at their stadium, where some fans booed them.
Sixteen Patriots took a knee during the anthem. Many others, including Brady, lock arms. https://t.co/XfPp0I8RdV— Jeff Howe (@Jeff Howe) 1506272299.0
WATCH: Patriots fans boo their team during anthem protest in wake of Trump's comments. More from @arniestapleton: https://t.co/5dfjstwRJs pic.twitter.com/kvLmSzG28w
— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) September 24, 2017
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Nine players sat during the nation anthem.
Photo: Several #Saints sit for National Anthem in Carolina https://t.co/yZUugpjo1o— Michael DeMocker (@Michael DeMocker) 1506272628.0
Quarterback Drew Brees criticized Trump's comments after the game, but also said he would always stand for the national anthem.
Saints Drew Brees Comments on National Anthem and Trump #BreesForPres pic.twitter.com/A6mniFZAJr
— Gulf Sports Net (@GulfSportsNet) September 25, 2017
NEW YORK GIANTS
Three players took a knee while others locked arms.
Three Giants took a knee during the national anthem: Landon Collins, Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison.— Ralph Vacchiano (@Ralph Vacchiano) 1506272395.0
NEW YORK JETS
Players locked arms with the team's owner, but no one took a knee, all stood.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Nearly all the players sat or took a knee during the national anthem.
Almost the entire @RAIDERS team sat during the national anthem. Oakland. #TakeTheKnee. ✊️ https://t.co/ZQQJgxa2OE— Michael Skolnik (@Michael Skolnik) 1506305261.0
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Players locked arms with the owner, but all stood.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers elected to stay in the locker room during the national anthem, except for one player, Alejandro Villanueva, who stood outside on the field and placed his hand over his heart.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Colin Kaepernick began the protest in San Francisco, but only one player took the knee on Sunday during the national anthem.
#49ers safety Eric Reid surrounded by teammates while kneeling for the national anthem. #LAvsSF https://t.co/pHp3Ek9egN— Rob Lowder (@Rob Lowder) 1506040096.0
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The entire team skipped the national anthem, but appeared arm in arm in solidarity afterward.
Surreal scene here in Nashville as entire #Seahawks, Titans teams including coaches, staff, all players skip nation… https://t.co/6OJfUC4yie— Gregg Bell (@Gregg Bell) 1506283429.0
Players come out of locker room arm in arm after National Anthem finishes. #K5Sports #SEAvsTEN #Seahawks https://t.co/MZ6Usd1hjF— Greg Thies | KING5 (@Greg Thies | KING5) 1506284465.0
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
.@TBBuccaneers wide receivers @MikeEvans13_ and @DeSeanJackson11 kneel during the national anthem before kickoff ag… https://t.co/iJg75kJEtj— Loren Elliott (@Loren Elliott) 1506272656.0
TENNESSEE TITANS
Players stayed in the locker room for the national anthem.
The @titans not coming out for the national anthem today is a disastrous move for the franchise in this city and state.— Clay Travis (@Clay Travis) 1506283831.0
As expected neither Titans or #Seahawks on field for National Anthem @komonews https://t.co/xq4DGuSZjN— MIKE FERRERI (@MIKE FERRERI) 1506283454.0
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Many players locked arms during the national anthem.
Josh Norman said they were facing "tyranny" from the president in an interview after the game.
.@KirkCousins8 and @J_No24 talk team unity and the @Redskins win over the Raiders. #HTTR
Spoiler: Josh Norman is FIRED UP. pic.twitter.com/B6NrPrkJEr
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 25, 2017
Why is everyone protesting all of a sudden?
Many players responded negatively to criticism that President Trump offered in a speech on Friday about the protests. Before the comments, protests were increasing but at a very slow rate.
UNBELIEVABLE: THIS politician has been absent 33.4% of the time, but there’s someone with an even WORSE record