UPDATED 9/9/16, 4:15 p.m. EST:
On Friday afternoon, the Air Academy Federal Credit Union announced it was ending an endorsement deal it had in place with Brandon Marshall as a result of his decision to kneel during the national anthem prior to the Broncos' game against the Panthers. The credit union released this statement on Facebook:
See original story below.
Leading up to tonight's NFL season opener between the Broncos and Panthers, some fans wondered whether any players would kneel during the National Anthem. One player did so: Denver linebacker Brandon Marshall. (No, not the Jets wide receiver. Same name, different NFL player.)
Marshall played with Colin Kaepernick in college. Though NBC did not give significant attention to Marshall's silent protest, game cameras did capture him during the anthem.
The Broncos issued a brief statement.
“I support Colin. I support ‘Kaep.’ I understand where he’s coming from,” Marshall previously told the Colorado Springs Gazette. “I definitely see what he’s saying. I support him on that. I’m not mad at him for that. Some people are bashing him on the Internet, but I’m not bashing him at all. I support him."
Naturally, Twitter users are calling out the wrong Marshall, the Jets' wide receiver.
Kaepernick started the silent protest during the National Anthem. Since then, NFL fans and commentators have addressed Kaepernick's decision extensively, and a growing number of players, including his teammates, are joining the movement.