Not One Player Took A Knee During The Super Bowl National Anthem

When Colin Kaepernickfirst took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and the mistreatment of minorities in America in 2016, the act ultimately went beyond just the football field, with a number of entertainers, activists, and ordinary citizens taking a knee across the country.

Fast forward to 2018, the day of Super Bowl LII, and none of the teammates from the Philadelphia Eagles or New England Patriots took a knee during the anthem.

As Pink performed the anthem the cameras panned to different players, with each one standing. And while the Patriots did all have their hands on each other's shoulders, the Eagles didn't.

Considering Donald Trump's comment made last year suggesting that NFL owners should fire players that fail to stand for the anthem, it's not too surprising. As CNN noted:

"Several New England Patriots players took part that first weekend after the president's incendiary comments, but haven't kneeled since."

"Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ron Brooks kneeled during preseason games but was released by the team in August. Throughout the season, some Eagles players raised their fists during the Anthem but all had stopped doing so by the playoffs."

But the other reason why no one took a knee during the anthem could also be because the NFL promised players that it would donate to social justice charities if they stopped protesting. In November of last year the NFL submitted to players the final draft of a proposal that would donate nearly $100 million to causes considered important to African-American communities, according to a report from ESPN.

This may also be why Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins didn't kneel during the Super Bowl, as well as stopped raising his fist above his head in December of last year.

Nevertheless, does this mean the end of the take a knee protests? And if so, what comes after?