Miami Dolphins star Jay Ajayi stands during the US national anthem at Wembley as British star opts not to kneel
Only three of his team-mates took the knee for clash with New Orleans Saints, who opted to kneel before anthem was played
BRITISH running back Jay Ajayi stood during the US national anthem while three Miami Dolphins took a knee before their game against the New Orleans Saints at Wembley this afternoon.
The 24-year-old joined in protests last week against the New York Jets by wearing a shirt with a slogan that read “I’m with Kap”.
But Ajayi and the majority of his team-mates were on their feet this time in front of over 80,000 fans in London.
Julius Thomas, Michael Thomas and Kenny Stills were the three Miami players to kneel down during the anthem.
New Orleans Saints players collectively kneeled before the anthem but all stood during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.
More than 20 players kneeled during the US national anthem last Sunday at Wembley before Jacksonville’s 44-7 win over Baltimore.
The shirt Ajayi wore along with some Dolphins team-mates last weekend was in reference to quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Before a pre-season match last year, Kaepernick sat during the US national in anthem in protest at police brutality and racial injustice in his country.
The movement gathered momentum throughout last season and into this with campaign with more players taking a knee.
Kaepernick has since left the San Francisco 49ers and is still without a team.
US president Donald Trump told a crowd in Alabama last week that players who knelt during the anthem should be “fired” by their team and also referred to them as “sons of b***hes”.
That led to teams and players condemning Trump’s comments and shows of unity across the league with most teams locking arms during the anthem.
Ajayi said on Friday: “It definitely created waves all around the NFL and especially on our team.
“Our main focus was that whatever we decided, we showcased unity with each other and I think that we were able to do that last week.”
“USA is like my second home. I’ve been there longer of course and I definitely attribute a lot of my life as well to being in the States.
“The experiences I’ve had in the US and in the UK, I think they’ve all kind of helped create who I am today.”