Browns' DeValve, 1st white player to kneel for anthem, explains motivation
Browns tight end Seth DeValve became the man that national-anthem protester Michael Bennett had been hoping for, as he joined a group of Cleveland players who chose to kneel and huddle during The Star-Spangled Banner before a preseason game against the New York Giants on Monday night.
Related: Seahawks' Bennett: White player joining protest could spur change
DeValve is believed to be the first white NFL player to kneel during the anthem this year, and the second-year pro opened up about why he was motivated to do so.
#Browns TE Seth DeValve explains why he participated in the prayer during the anthem pic.twitter.com/T8PhmsDKcL
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) August 22, 2017
"The United States is the greatest country in the world. It is because it provides opportunities to its citizens that no other country does," DeValve said, according to USA TODAY Sports. "The issue is that it doesn't provide equal opportunity to everybody. And I wanted to support my African-American teammates today who wanted to take a knee."
DeValve's wife, Erica Harris, is also African-American.
"We wanted to draw attention to the fact that there's things in this country that still need to change. I myself will be raising children that don't look like me, and I want to do my part as well to do everything I can to raise them in a better environment than we have right now."
Browns linebackers Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey, running backs Duke Johnson, Terrence Magee, Isaiah Crowell and Brandon Wilds, wide receivers Kenny Britt and Ricardo Louis, safeties Jabrill Peppers and Calvin Pryor, and cornerback Jamar Taylor all knelt for the anthem alongside DeValve.
Others, including rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer, offensive tackle Shon Coleman, punter Britton Colquitt, cornerback Jason McCourty, and offensive guard Marcus Martin, showed their support by standing next to the circle and placing a hand on a shoulder of a kneeling teammate.
Last week, Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson clarified his comments that initially indicated he'd be unhappy with any protests by his team, saying he would respect any decision to kneel during the anthem.