Tyler Eifert: Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl TE explains why he stands during national anthem

Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert penned a letter about why he chooses to stand for the national anthem before Cincinnati Bengals games.

Eifert wrote the piece for the website Medium. He said he doesn't "want there to be questions of why I am standing or if I will kneel."

He also posted a photo of the cleats he will wear for the Bengals' game Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. The white shoes feature the name Pat Tillman inscribed near the heel.

Eifert turned 27-years-old on Friday. He is entering his fifth NFL season since being picked at No. 21 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft.

"I know it would probably be best to stay out of it, but when you believe in something as much as I do it gets to a point where you want both sides to be heard," Eifert wrote for Medium.com.

"I am not questioning anyone's reasons or rights to protest, but instead the method. This entire protest about raising awareness for racial inequality has gotten lost in the media and turned into a debate about whether to sit or stand for the national anthem. I want to take this time to remind everyone why I stand."

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"I stand because I love my country."

"I stand because I want to honor the people putting their lives on the line for me on a daily basis in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard."

"I stand because my cousin is a pilot in the United States Air Force, risking his life flying F-15s in active war zones. He takes pride in his job protecting Americans, a sacrifice that all members of every branch of the United States military willfully take."

Eifert said he will write a person's name from the United States military on his cleats for every game this season. Those service members could be active, retired, killed or missing in action, or a prisoner of war.

"These people are why I am standing because they gave me and everyone else the chance to have freedom and earn a living playing a sport I love," Eifert wrote.

The tight end supports the K9s For Warriors charity. K9s for Warriors is the United States' largest provider of service dogs to military veterans suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post-9/11.

"I respect my fellow players right to kneel during the national anthem but I hope everyone now knows why I stand, and respects that as well," Eifert wrote.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters chose to sit on the bench for the national anthem before Thursday's victory against the New England Patriots. Peters also had special cleats made regarding the protests, which read: "liberty" and "justice for all."