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The majority of Houston Texans players kneeled and linked arms during the national anthem before Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks in response to team owner Bob McNair making his "inmates running the prison" comment. About 10 Texans players stood during the anthem.
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In addition, some of the Seahawks' defensive line again sat on the bench during the anthem -- Michael Bennett, Sheldon Richardson, Cliff Avril, Jarran Reed, Frank Clark, Quinton Jefferson, Marcus Smith, Branden Jackson and Nazair Jones, according to ESPN.
Another defensive lineman, Dion Jordan, stood next to those players along with offensive linemen Justin Britt and Oday Aboushi. Linebacker Michael Wilhoite again took a knee.
After his comment -- "We can't have the inmates running the prison" -- reported by ESPN The Magazine became public Friday, McNair apologized, met with the Texans players and issued two statements.
Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and rookie running back D'Onta Foreman missed Friday's practice in response to McNair's comment made during an Oct. 18 meeting where owners talked about business concerns related to the anthem protests.
NFL owners and executives have been scrambling to determine the best response to players kneeling during the national anthem this season, a movement started last year by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to denounce police brutality against African-Americans, social injustice and racial inequality. A number of players followed Kaepernick's lead by taking a knee during the anthem last year and this season.
President Donald Trump continued his criticism of the NFL following the owners meeting with players on Oct. 17 to discuss the ongoing national anthem protests. McNair contributed to Trump's campaign and donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee.
NFL players who have demonstrated during the national anthem have said they are protesting racial inequality, but not the flag or the anthem itself.
