Michael Bennett is calling on all NFL players — black and white — to participate in the national anthem protests.
In the Seahawks' first preseason game on Sunday, the defensive end sat for the anthem, continuing the movement started by quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
However, Bennett said just a few players protesting the anthem isn't enough.
"It would take a white player to really get things changed, because when somebody from the other side understands and they step up and they speak up about it ... it would change the whole conversation," Bennett said on ESPN's SC6.
"Because when you bring somebody who doesn't have to be a part of [the] conversation making himself vulnerable in front of it, I think when that happens, things will really take a jump."
According to Bennett, many players are scared of participating in the movement because Kaepernick has been a free agent since the offseason, with teams apparently unwilling to support his stance from a public relations standpoint.
Bennett says the events in Charlottesville, Va., has prompted him to sit for the anthem.
"Over the weekend, so much violence, so much hate," Bennett said. "I just wanted to remember why we were American citizens, remember the freedom, the liberty and the equality, make sure we never forget that. I really wanted to honor that, the founding principles of what we're all supposed to be. Charlottesville was so crazy, so much going on in the world now, it just made sense."
Bennett also clarified he was not trying to disrespect the U.S. military. He said the Seahawks hosted members of the military recently, and that they commended him on his actions.
"People make this divide, like I'm trying to disrespect the military. And they come to me and say this is what they're fighting for," Bennett said. "It just touched my heart."
In the Seahawks' first preseason game on Sunday, the defensive end sat for the anthem, continuing the movement started by quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
However, Bennett said just a few players protesting the anthem isn't enough.
"It would take a white player to really get things changed, because when somebody from the other side understands and they step up and they speak up about it ... it would change the whole conversation," Bennett said on ESPN's SC6.
"Because when you bring somebody who doesn't have to be a part of [the] conversation making himself vulnerable in front of it, I think when that happens, things will really take a jump."
According to Bennett, many players are scared of participating in the movement because Kaepernick has been a free agent since the offseason, with teams apparently unwilling to support his stance from a public relations standpoint.
Bennett says the events in Charlottesville, Va., has prompted him to sit for the anthem.
"Over the weekend, so much violence, so much hate," Bennett said. "I just wanted to remember why we were American citizens, remember the freedom, the liberty and the equality, make sure we never forget that. I really wanted to honor that, the founding principles of what we're all supposed to be. Charlottesville was so crazy, so much going on in the world now, it just made sense."
Bennett also clarified he was not trying to disrespect the U.S. military. He said the Seahawks hosted members of the military recently, and that they commended him on his actions.
"People make this divide, like I'm trying to disrespect the military. And they come to me and say this is what they're fighting for," Bennett said. "It just touched my heart."
