01-15-2020, 10:19 AM
There was a time when Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills was bothered by the backlash over his decision to kneel on the sideline during the national anthem Akeem Spence Jersey , his way of following Colin Kaepernick’s lead and protesting social injustice.He is no longer worried. If anything, his resolve got stronger.“We’re not going anywhere,” Stills said.Stills was one of two players who kneeled for the anthem in Week 1 around the NFL. Fellow Dolphins receiver Albert Wilson was the other. League-wide, only about 10 players participated in any form of protests. On Thursday, two days removed from meeting with veterans on Sept. 11 and getting lauded by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, Stills insisted that his pregame statements are not going away.“It’s not going to change,” Stills said. “Activism isn’t something you just kind of get involved in and then turn your back on it. Once your eyes are open to some of the things that are happening, you continue to work and try to grow and create change for the rest of your life. It’s something I’m committed to forever.”More Miami Dolphins newsDolphins DB Minkah Fitzpatrick will play vs. Patriots despite trade requestDolphins will try to regroup for Patriots after drubbing at the hands of RavensDolphins can’t contain Lamar Jackson, lose big at homeDolphins versatile offensive lineman Jesse Davis signs extension through 2022Dolphins trade Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills to Texans for draft picksStills said the Dolphins, who had established a team policy during the offseason saying that players who protested on the field could be subject to a suspension of up to four games, have not tried to stop him from kneeling. The Dolphins’ policy and all NFL punishments for protests were put on hold as the league and union negotiate.Dolphins coach Adam Gase chose the captains for this year’s team already, and Stills — just as he was last season — is one. It’s a clear sign that Gase has no problems with Stills’ stance, or his leadership capability.“I think he’s been the most productive slot receiver the last two years in the NFL,” Gase said. “That’s nothing new to us.”Stills met with reporters for about 10 minutes Thursday. There was one question about his two touchdown catches against Tennessee in Miami’s 27-20 victory.The rest of the session revolved almost entirely around kneeling, not catchingStills went to Miami-area VA Hospitals on Tuesday Christian Wilkins Miami Dolphins Jerseys , along with Wilson and a few other members of the Dolphins organization. Some of the patients were moved to tears, and Stills said he spoke with several veterans privately — most of them understanding where his protests are coming from and what they are about.“This has never been against the military or the flag or the police,” Stills said. “And so just for them to have the opportunity, for us to have the conversation, for them to approach me and say that, that meant a bunch.”There are some, however — most notably, President Donald Trump — who insist on describing the kneeling and other similar actions, such as Oakland’s Marshawn Lynch staying seated for the anthem, as a protest of the flag.Trump retweeted a photo on Sunday that showed Stills and Wilson kneeling as the anthem played. In a separate tweet, Trump said NFL television ratings are declining and wrote that if “the players stood proudly for our Flag and Anthem, and it is all shown on broadcast, maybe ratings could come back? Otherwise worse!”Rubio, R-Florida, took to Twitter this week to applaud Stills .“You don’t have to agree with how or why he has chosen to exercise the 1st Amendment before every game to acknowledge the hours he gives voluntarily, on his day off Christian Wilkins white jersey , to serve his fellow Americans,” Rubio tweeted.Stills said he understands the backlash is not going to stop.“It’s not about being the face or who gets the notoriety for it,” Stills said. “It’s just what I care about outside of work and what I spend my time doing when I’m not here working for the Dolphins.”Stills first kneeled during the anthem in 2016 and has been vocal discussing racial inequality and other issues. The player protests — started by Kaepernick, who has not played in the NFL since that season — have become a divisive topic. The debate was refueled earlier this month, when Nike made Kaepernick one of the faces of Nike’s 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign .Kaepernick lauded Stills and Wilson for kneeling last weekend. Stills said he would like to see more players protest.“Obviously, we’d be encouraged to see more guys participating in the protest, but I understand that everyone makes their own decisions,” Stills said. “I’ll continue doing what I’m doing. It’s never been about that. It’s not about what other guys are doing. I understand my position and what I’m standing for, what I’m standing up for.” GREEN BAY, Wis. — It can be difficult enough for NFL players to have just three days to prepare for a Thursday night game.The Green Bay Packers have another unique wrinkle in their schedule: they must fly west this year for their Thursday night matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.More Packers coveragePHOTOS: Packers at ChiefsRodgers, Jones lead Packers past Chiefs 31-24Packers’ Davante Adams, Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes out in Kansas CityPhotos of the Week: 10/20/19 – 10/26/19Chiefs QB Mahomes ruled out vs. PackersIt didn’t leave much time for the Packers to wind down on Monday, a day after the 31-12 win over the Miami Dolphins.“You’ve got to take care of your body, make sure you’re doing the right things these next couple days to get ready,” defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. “Mentally, you just put your head in the film Christian Wilkins Jersey Womens , get a chance to look at them early.”The abbreviated practice plans have the Packers (4-4-1) flying to Seattle on Tuesday night following what would be the most extensive practice of the week. Coaches did some preliminary preparation last week for the Seahawks, though the primary focus was on beating the Dolphins.That goal was accomplished, even as more injuries took a toll on the defense.Safety Kentrell Brice (left ankle), linebacker Nick Perry (knee) and Bashaud Breeland (groin) left the Dolphins game. They’re all starters, and another starter, cornerback Kevin King, missed the game with a hamstring injury.The defense bent but did not break, holding Miami to four field goals in spite of being put in some tricky situations. Two turnovers on special teams gave the Dolphins the ball at midfield or better. A failed fourth-and-2 for the offense had Miami starting at the Packers 45.The Dolphins managed just field goals each time, while the Packers kept scoring touchdowns.“We really played everybody that was up in our secondary, and everybody was ready when their number was called, and they really made plays for us,” Breeland said after the game. He picked off Brock Osweiler deep in Miami territory and returned the ball to the 12 to set up a touchdown late in the third quarter.Breeland’s injury appeared to be relatively minor, and he hoped to be ready for Thursday.A positive for the Packers’ defense is that backups played fairly well to fill voids, including reserve safety Raven Greene. He had a sack and also took a direct snap on a fake punt for a 26-yard run.It’s a confidence-building win especially for a secondary that has had instability over the past few weeks, starting with the trade of starting safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to Washington. Another safety, Jermaine Whitehead Christian Wilkins Jersey Cheap , was released last week. Veteran cornerback Tramon Williams has started at safety alongside Brice the past couple of games.“It took everybody today, man. It was a good, team win,” Williams said Sunday.Green Bay eventually took advantage of backup Brock Osweiler, who was starting for a fifth straight game in place of the injured Ryan Tannehill. They got to Osweiler for six sacks. The Dolphins were just as banged up at receiver, too, losing Davante Parker and Jakeem Grant during the game.But Miami gets a bye this week to rest up. The Packers figure to take it easier in practice on Tuesday, which would probably have been the case regardless of all the injuries in their secondary.That puts a premium, then on the mental part of the game and preparation.“Full speed ahead. Some guys might try to click through the film last night,” McCarthy said. “A number of coaches just went right upstairs after the game … but as far as the team, we don’t have any time to spend on, we have to get right into Seattle.”