Patriots Stand In Unity During National Anthem

FOXBOROUGH, MA — There was no kneeling or booing this week during the playing of national anthem at Gillette Stadium Sunday.

During the pregame singing, all players and coaches on the New England Patriots sideline stood together with a hand on their heart and another arm around the shoulders of a player next to them. The display of unity was expected and originally reported by ESPN earlier in the week.

The show of unity follows a week of protests and kneeling across the league. In Foxborough, about 20 players took a knee during the anthem, as boos rained down from the stadium stands.

In the stands, some fans brought signs demanding players to stand. Photos taken by the AP shows one person with a sign that said “Real Patriots stand up for their country” and another fan held a sign that said “Stand for the flag, kneel for the cross,” possibly unaware that team owner Robert Kraft is Jewish.

No players on the Panthers sideline went down to one knee.

All images via AP Photo/Steven Senne