Looking Back at How the Vikings Have Previously Handled National Anthem Protests

The May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and subsequent protests have elicited numerous public statements about social justice from public figures and businesses -- some well received, some not. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was pilloried by fellow NFL players Wednesday for his comments to Yahoo Finance about the possibility of players kneeling during the National Anthem this upcoming season.

"I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country," Brees told Yahoo. "Let me just tell you what I see or what I feel when the National Anthem is played, and when I look at the flag of the United States. I envision my two grandfathers, who fought for this country during World War II, one in the Army and one in the Marine Corps. Both risking their lives to protect our country and to try to make our country and this world a better place."

Brees has since apologized for his remarks after criticism from current and former players, including Malcolm Jenkins, Ed Reed and Aaron Rodgers, who believed the Saints quarterback was overlooking the true purpose of the protest.

With the reawakening of the topic, it's worth remembering how the Vikings have handled National Anthems since 2016 when 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's initially knelt to protest racial inequality.

While some players leaguewide knelt, sat or left the playing field during the anthem, the Vikings have not had a player kneel since the subject became a hot-button issue in NFL locker rooms. Throughout 2017, however, many Vikings linked arms during the anthem, while running back Jerick McKinnon -- who was direct in his criticism of Brees on Thursday -- chose to stand alone behind the lineup of players. President Donald Trump said early in the 2017 season that players not standing for the anthem should be "fired," which led to many teams kneeling as an act of solidarity, but the Vikings chose to remain standing.

Head coach Mike Zimmer expressed in 2018 his desire for players to stand for the anthem after the league instituted a National Anthem policy, which said players had the option to leave the field during the anthem, but those on the field would be required to stand. The policy, however, was not strictly enforced.

"I think it’s important that we stand for the anthem," Zimmer said in May of 2018. "I think it’s important that we represent our country the right way, the flag the right way. I probably shouldn’t get on a tangent, right? But a lot of people have died for that flag, and that flag represents our country and what we stand for. I think that’s important."

[caption id=attachment_67013" align="alignnone" width="800] Photo Credit: Kirby Lee (USA Today Sports)[/caption]

Later that year, owner Mark Wilf said the Vikings would show unity regarding any gestures made during the anthem.

"Whatever we do, we’re going to do as a team," Wilf said.

He continued: “Our players are very respectful — and our ownership, our organization, our franchise — of the military and what that flag means. I can tell you as a son of immigrants I think it’s very important for our ownership. I think we all understand that."

While the Vikings have not had a player kneel, it doesn't mean all members of the team have stayed quiet. Cornerback Terence Newman had an engaging back and forth with reporters in 2016 about the subjects of race, social justice and protesting.

"It’s bringing awareness,” Newman said of Kaepernick's movement. “Do you see how much attention this has gotten? It’s [about] the cause, but everyone is fixated on him kneeling and saying that he’s disrespecting the flag when he said personally that it has nothing to do with the flag. It’s raising awareness."

In 2018, veteran defensive end Brian Robison said he was proud to stand but thought players should have the freedom to make their own choice.

"I love this country I’ve grown up in," Robison said. "I think we have the greatest country in the world. I’m going to go out there and stand up for that flag. But at the same time, our military has fought for those freedoms to allow those guys to have that decision."

Many of the more vocal Vikings like Newman, Robison and McKinnon are gone from the team, though current Vikings have spoken out in recent days as discussions about racial inequality have been amplified. Quarterback Kirk Cousins released a statement saying his heart breaks for his "African American brothers and sisters."

"Please know I am with you," the statement read. "WE must do better. WE must be better."

Linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks also made a plea on Twitter for the NFL to take specific action toward justice reforms. Because of the outcry from players and fans, commissioner Roger Goodell released a strong statement on behalf of the league that said "we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and protest peacefully."

.@EricKendricks54 in his own words. pic.twitter.com/mX9xNnTGeP

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 3, 2020

At the team level, the Vikings have had regular dialogues about enacting social justice initiatives, and the club pledged $250K toward the cause in 2018. The Vikings have a Social Justice Committee that has been actively discussing what steps to take after George Floyd's death, which they'll be laying out in the near future. Finding ways to empower minorities has been a focus of the organization thanks, in part, to Kevin Warren, the team's COO until 2019. Warren, now the commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, was one of the highest ranking African American NFL executives.

Despite teams' off-field action steps, fans will be intently watching to see what statement teams make on the field. The 2020 season will likely renew debates around National Anthem protests and how teams should respond, especially now that Goodell's statement seemingly indicates more tolerance from the league. As the volume of the conversation about racial inequality continues to rise, it's worth wondering if the Vikings' approach to National Anthem protests will evolve.