Broncos LB Brandon Marshall Kneels During Anthem Before 21-20 Season-Opening Win Vs Panthers

Brandon Marshall demonstrated Thursday night that he is just one more person who stands by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest of not standing during the playing of the national anthem before games.

Broncos LB Brandon Marshall Kneels During Anthem Before 21-20 Season-Opening Win Vs Panthers

The Denver Broncos linebacker, who turns 27 on Saturday, knelt during ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before Thursday night’s NFL season opener against the Carolina Panthers, which the Broncos won 21-20 at home.

“I’m not against the military,” Marshall said following the game, per Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post, adding with clarity what he was against: “I’m not against the police or America. I’m against social injustice.”

All of the other players on the field were standing, according to the Charlotte Observer‘s Joe Person.

“While we encourage members of our organization to stand during the National Anthem, we understand and respect it being a personal decision,” the Broncos said in a statement, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.

“Brandon is a great kid,” Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. “He is a leader of this team. I believe in my players.”

Fellow Broncos linebacker and Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller said after the game that he supports Marshall and Kaepernick in the belief that change is needed, although he added that he wont’ kneel for the anthem, according to Judy Battista of NFL.com.

Kaepernick told NFL Media’s Steve Wyche that he opted against standing to show support for those who he believes are treated unjustly.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

The 49ers QB spurred severe controversy with both his refusal to stand and his words.

Marshall and Kaepernick were teammates in college on the Nevada Wolf Pack.

“We can post (on social media) and say all we want, but that’s the real change. To get out in the community and say we’re going to do this,” Marshall said, per Cameron Wolfe. “Sometimes you have to go straight to the source and really have a conversation to sit down and talk with the leaders.”

Several other similar protests may arise this weekend before the rest of the NFL teams play their season openers.

According to ESPN.com’s Sheil Kapadia, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner disclosed that his squad may unite for a team-wide display of unity.

In the first half of Thursday’s game, as the Panthers gained a 17-7 lead, the Broncos seemed to have suffered a greater loss of personnel than even retired QB Peyton Manning, who led Denver to a victory over Carolina in Super Bowl 50 in February. The Panthers racked up 220 yards, including 95 yards rushing.

In all, Panthers QB Cam Newton had 11 runs for 54 yards and one touchdown. Carolina also led by 10 points at halftime.

The Panthers will next host the 49ers on Sept. 18, while the Broncos, led by new QB Trevor Siemian, will host the Indianapolis Colts that same Sunday.

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 13: Fullback Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes against outside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 13, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)