Baker Mayfield said this summer that he planned to kneel for the national anthem. Following several high profile killings by police, athletes across several sports said they intended do the same. But a day before the Browns’ first game of the season, the Cleveland Browns quarterback changed his mind, tweeting he would stand for the anthem during Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
“After watching Thursday’s game and also watching the Dolphins player’s video…it shows that it is not about who is standing or who is kneeling for the anthem. But instead, coming together and taking action to create real change,” he wrote.
The 25-year-old followed through on that later statement and stood for the anthem during the Browns 39-6 loss Sunday to the Ravens. However, Browns Myles Garrett, KhaDarel Hodge, Ronnie Harrison knelt along with several Ravens players and coaches.
After the game, Mayfield was asked about the change.
“Like I said, I respect all of my teammates’ decisions. We talked about it, we had discussions and we are all on the same page. We are in this together in showing solidarity to try and unite instead of divide. It does not matter what decision any of our teammates make, that is just what I personally said and that is the way I wanted to say it. While we are on that topic, the name of had in the back of my helmet today was Julius Jones. A very sad story. A guy who is wrongfully incarcerated in the state of Oklahoma. I tried to represent him today for justice for Julius. I hope I spread that message and I continue to do so.”
Baker Mayfield
But while his teammates may have been in agreement over his decision, fans were not.
