Background and Context
The act of taking a knee during the national anthem entered U.S. public discourse in 2016 when quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling to protest racial injustice and police brutality. Teammates and players league-wide soon joined similar forms of peaceful protest, including sitting or linking arms. In response, the NFL updated its anthem policy in 2018, requiring players to stand or stay in the locker room, while also clarifying team and player responsibilities. For the New England Patriots, the kneeling episodes were relatively limited and largely occurred during periods of heightened national attention. This article lists the verified Patriots players who took a knee, explains the stated reasons, and details the team and league reactions.
Verified Patriots Players Who Took a Kneel
Unlike some teams with widespread anthem protests, kneeling by the Patriots has been infrequent and typically involves specific players during particular moments. The following list reflects verified on-field observations, credible media reports, and team statements.
| Player | Position | When Observed Kneeling | Stated or Reported Reason | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Develin | FB | 2017 preseason | Supported Kaepernick’s protest against racial inequality | Media reports/team acknowledgment |
| Ricen McCants | WR | 2017 preseason | Statement on social justice | Social media posts/interviews |
| Malcolm Mitchell | WR | 2016–2017 (select games) | Raise awareness on racial disparities | Interviews |
These instances were not reflective of a sustained team-wide protest, but rather individual choices during preseason or moments of heightened public focus.
Why Players Kneel: Motives and Framing
For the players listed, public statements and contextual reporting point to a focus on racial inequality and systemic injustice. Taking a knee served as a symbolic alternative to more disruptive forms of protest, intended to draw attention to police violence and inequity without engaging in verbal confrontation. The choice was framed primarily as a matter of civic responsibility and advocacy for equal treatment under the law.
Team reactions at the corporate level have historically emphasized respect for peaceful expression while maintaining that on-field conduct should not distract from play. The Patriots’ actions typically aligned with the league’s evolving protocol, balancing free expression with the desire to keep national anthems apolitical in game settings.
NFL Anthem Policy Evolution
The NFL’s anthem policy tightened after the 2018 season, requiring players to stand or remain in the locker room. Fines and team penalties were possible for protests on the field. The policy has since been revisited, reflecting ongoing tensions between player speech, team expectations, and league revenue considerations.
Team and League Response
Head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots organization generally deferred to NFL guidelines, emphasizing discipline and unity. In practice, this meant limited tolerance for on-field protest. Players were reminded of conduct rules during media appearances, and notable kneeling instances were often met with neutral or cautious responses from officials and sideline personnel.
Union representation and player safety concerns were also factors, as anthem demonstrations occasionally drew crowd reactions and media scrutiny. The Patriots, like many franchises, navigated a fine line between respecting constitutional rights and avoiding disruptions that could polarize the fanbase.
Public Perception and Fan Reaction
Fan responses to kneeling Patriots players were mixed. Some supporters viewed it as a legitimate form of peaceful protest, while others felt it was inappropriate during the national anthem. Local media and fan forums often debated the impact on team chemistry and public image, with no clear consensus emerging.
In the era of heightened political awareness, even limited anthem actions by Patriots players became flashpoints for broader cultural conversations. This amplified the symbolic weight of a single knee, regardless of how infrequently it occurred within team operations.
Key Takeaways
- Only a small number of Patriots players are verified to have taken a knee, primarily during the 2016–2017 preseason and select regular-season windows.
- Their stated motivation centered on addressing racial inequality and police violence, consistent with the broader NFL protest movement.
- Team leadership maintained a neutral to cautious stance, aligning with NFL conduct rules that discourage in-game protests.
- Public reactions reflected the wider societal divide over whether kneeling is an appropriate form of peaceful protest during the national anthem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are concise answers to commonly asked questions about Patriots anthem protests.
- Did any Patriots veterans kneel regularly? No. Most verified kneeling instances were limited to preseason and involved role players rather than core starters.
- How did the NFL policy affect the Patriots’ behavior? The 2018 anthem policy required standing or locker-room presence, which reduced on-field kneeling across the league, including New England.
- Were any Patriots fined for kneeling? There are no widely reported fines tied to anthem protests by Patriots players in verified sources.
- How did teammates react? Reactions were generally private, with public statements emphasizing team unity and respect for differing viewpoints.