Seahawks player Jeremy Lane joins Kaepernick and Eric Reid in protest of standing for national anthem

Seattle Seahawks player Jeremy Lane has appeared to join San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick in protest by sitting down during the national anthem.

Lane, whose Seahawks are playing the Oakland Raiders in their final preseason game on Friday, remained seated throughout the anthem.

It is unknown whether the 26-year-old from Texas sat down for the same reasons Kaepernick did. The 49ers quarterback is protesting against racial injustice in the U.S.

Lane is a fifth-year veteran from Northwestern State University of Louisiana who was drafted by Seattle in the fifth round in 2012.

He signed a four-year, $23 million deal with Seattle in March.

It appeared he was the only player on either side to stay seated for the anthem, which was performed by musician Mike Phillips.

The cornerback was approached by outspoken teammate Richard Sherman immediately afterwards.

The two players sat together for a few moments and talked, Seattle’s News Tribute reports.

Sherman made headlines when he spoke about police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement.

‘I stand by what I said that All Lives Matter and that we are human beings,’ he told ESPN’s The Undefeated.

‘And speaking to police, I want African-Americans and everybody else treated decently. I want them treated like human beings.

‘And I also want the police treated like human beings. I don’t want police officers just getting knocked off in the street who haven’t done anything wrong.’

Reaction to Lane’s protest was mixed on social media, with many fans backing his ‘courage’.

‘Good for Eric Reid and Jeremy Lane. Would love to see a white player show some solidarity,’ Marc Whittington tweeted.

‘Thank you for being bold and for “standing up”,’ Tess Miller said.

‘Proud of Jeremy Lane takes alot of heart n courage to stand up to something that is wrong when not many are doing it (sic),’ a third wrote.

However, others criticized the move, with some going as far as to say he should be cut from the team.

‘Really Jeremy Lane? You are much better than that. Show respect for your country, the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle,’ Andy Nye tweeted.

‘Time to cut Jeremy lane… Loser,’ Colby McRocket said.

‘YOU ARE NOT oppressed in a country where you make MILLIONS to throw a football,’ Samantha Tinker added.

Lane’s protest came moments before Kaepernick again refused to stand ahead of San Francisco’s game against San Diego.

The quarterback was joined by teammate Eric Reid.

The pair then hugged on the sidelines.

Source: The DailyMail