Cleveland Browns players kneel during national anthem prior to playing New York Giants

Eleven Cleveland Browns players knelt during the national anthem prior to the Monday night preseason game against the New York Giants in Cleveland.

The 11 players knelt in a circle behind the Browns bench, and five other Browns players stood nearby with a hand on a kneeling teammate's shoulder in an apparent sign of support.

The 11 players who knelt were tight end Seth DeValve, running back Duke Johnson Jr., running back Terrence Magee, safety Jabrill Peppers, safety Calvin Pryor, cornerback Jamar Taylor, receiver Kenny Britt, receiver Ricardo Louis, linebacker Chris Kirksey, linebacker Jamie Collins, and running back Isaiah Crowell. Crowell was not in uniform.

The five who stood alongside the circle were punter Britton Colquitt, cornerback Jason McCourty, quarterback DeShone Kizer, defensive tackle Trevon Coley and offensive tackle Shon Coleman.

The Browns issued a statement that read, "As an organization, we have a profound respect for our country's National Anthem, flag and the servicemen and servicewomen in the United States and abroad. We feel it's important for our team to join in this great tradition and special moment of recognition, at the same time we also respect the great liberties afforded by our country, including the freedom of personal expression."

None of the Giants players knelt during the national anthem.