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Peterson made his feelings known to the Houston
Chronicle in the aftermath of the comments made by New Orleans
Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who said that players were
"disrespecting the flag" by kneeling during the anthem. Brees
later apologized for his comments.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick
protested racial injustice in the United States by kneeling
during the anthem in the 2016 season. Kaepernick has yet to sign
with an NFL team since opting out of his contract with the 49ers
in 2017.
"Years ago, seeing Kaepernick taking a knee, now we're all ready
to take a knee together going into this season without a doubt,"
Peterson said.
When asked by the Houston Chronicle if he will take a knee,
Peterson replied: "Without a doubt, without a doubt."
The NFL adopted a policy in 2018 that required players to stand
for the national anthem, but allowed them to stay in the locker
room during it if they chose. The league has since pulled the
policy back after an agreement with the NFL Players Association.
Peterson, who played 10 seasons (2007-16) with the Minnesota
Vikings, contends that more players will be taking a knee this
season following national protests over the death of George
Floyd, an African-American man who died in police custody in
Minneapolis on May 25.
"We've got to put the effort in as a group collectively. Are
they going to try to punish us all? If not, playing football is
going to help us save lives and change things, then that's what
it needs to be," Peterson told the newspaper.
Peterson, 35, is currently fifth on the all-time rushing list
with 14,216 yards.
Peterson was a team captain and led Washington in attempts
(211), rushing yards (898) and rushing touchdowns (5) last
season.
Peterson has played in 164 career games. He currently ranks No.
8 in rushing attempts (3,036), No. 4 in rushing touchdowns (111)
and No. 8 in yards per game (86.7) in NFL history.
Next up on the rushing list would be Barry Sanders, who is 1,053
yards ahead of Peterson and fourth on the all-time rushing list.
Peterson is 12 rushing touchdowns behind Marcus Allen for third
all-time.
--Field Level Media
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