FINAL SCORE: Browns 13, Tampa Bay 9
TAMPA BAY, Florida – Just days after a group of Cleveland Browns players took a knee during the National Anthem in Cleveland, all of the players stood for the National Anthem on Saturday ahead of their preseason game against Tampa Bay.
Many #Browns players had their arms locked together while standing for the national anthem behind the front row of players. pic.twitter.com/ZbN9HvkTlV
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) August 26, 2017
Browns radio said that Browns legend Jim Brown spoke to the team and told them to “not disrespect” their country or the flag.
#Browns radio said Jim Brown spoke to the team and told them "do not disrespect your country, do not disrespect the flag''
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 26, 2017
On Monday, August 21, more than a dozen players huddled together on the team’s bench to protest during the national anthem. They later explained that they “were just praying for everyone.”
The action set off a nationwide controversy, with people both condemning and defending their actions.
A VFW hall in Strongsville even said that it would no longer broadcast the Browns games.
