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Despite his support of those who have chosen to kneel, sit, or step out during the singing of the national anthem, Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas doesn't plan to sit during it this upcoming season.
“Stand for what you feel is right,” Thomas told TMZ Sports on Thursday. “I'm not going to do it, but that's those players' decisions.”
Thomas also said he doesn't believe players who have sat during the singing of the anthem are unpatriotic in any way.
Sitting or kneeling during the anthem first became a factor during the 2016 NFL preseason when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick became the first player to do it. Kaepernick shortly after claimed his stance was due to the racial and social injustice that had plagued the nation with the murder of unarmed black men in recent history and the long trail of police violence that ensnared many neighborhoods.
These protests have returned during the NFL preseason with Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch taking after Kaepernick, who now finds himself out of a job.
Their particular actions came as a way to protest the aftermath of white nationalist marches in Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend.
Anthem protests have been a bigger factor in the NFL, though Golden State Warriors forward David West told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated last season that he's been an active protester for years by standing out of line with his teammates during the playing of the anthem.
