Michael Bennett To Protest During National Anthem

FOXBORO, MA — Unlike most of the gang down at Gillette Stadium, Michael Bennett isn't the kind to keep his mouth shut and go about his business. The 33-year-old is already making headlines before he officially lands with his new team, which recently agreed to a trade with Philadelphia for the Pro Bowl defensive end.

For starters, Bennett will stay in the locker room during the national anthem, he said during an appearance Monday at Princeton University's Richardson Auditorium, according to ESPN. Bennett has either taken a knee or seat or stayed in the locker room since the protests started in 2016.

Bennett said he already discussed his stance with the Patriots.

"I explained to them that my integrity means everything," Bennett said. "I think they respect that about me, they respect who I am as an individual."

Bennett, who said he looks forward to playing with quarterback Tom Brady and for coach Bill Belichick, also said he plans on talking to both about their reported support of President Trump.

"I think it's important not to to run away from those conversations, or not hear their ideas about why they think the way they do," he said.

Brady and Belichick have been linked to Trump since before he became president. Brady was spotted with a Make America Great Again hat in his locker and Trump said Brady told him he voted for him. On the eve of the presidential election, Trump read a fawning letter he said Belichick wrote him.

Bennett has been outspoken on issues such as politics and race. He authored a book called Things That Make White People Uncomfortable.

The Patriots hope Bennett replaces some of the production lost by defensive lineman Trey Flowers, who is signing with the Detroit Lions. Bennett has been one of the most disruptive linemen in the league in recent years, including a Super Bowl run with Seattle, but he's garnered attention off the field as well.

He had a much-publicized run-in with Las Vegas police in 2017. Bennett said he was in a crowd when gunshots rang out. When he ran to safety, police stopped him at gunpoint for "simply being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said. Bennett said he was ordered on the ground, where an office put a gun to his head and said he would "blow [Bennett's] f---ing head off."

Police denied the accusations.

Bennett is also facing charges after being accused of injuring an elderly paraplegic woman who was working crowd control at Super Bowl LI. Bennett, who pleaded not guilty, is due in court March 27, the day before Robert Kraft is due in court in Florida.

Bennett is the brother of former Patriots tight end Martellus Bennet, who reportedly is interested in coming off retirement to rejoin the team and his brother.

Read the full ESPN story here.