New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers stand during national anthem

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- There were no signs of protest during the national anthem prior to Sunday's Carolina Panthers-New England Patriots game at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots, who indicated during the week they wouldn't do anything after 16 players took a knee last Sunday in reaction to comments made by President Donald Trump, stood in a line, right hands on their hearts, left hands on a teammate's shoulder.

Team owner Robert Kraft, who donated to Trump's campaign and presented the president with a Super Bowl ring but then was "disappointed" in the comments, was also on the sideline, standing with his son, team president Jonathan Kraft.

Julius Peppers, the only Panthers player who protested last week by remaining in the locker room during the anthem, was on the field Sunday. On the Carolina sideline, it appeared teammates Jonathan Stewart and Thomas Davis joined in prayer.

Carolina linebacker Shaq Thompson sported new baby blue shoes that included the words "Stay United, Not Divided," and displayed black and white hands shaking hands.