Raiders' Marshawn Lynch Sits During National Anthem Before Preseason Game

Lynch rarely talks to the media but has voiced his support for quarterback Colin Kaepernick's seasonlong decision to kneel during the anthem to draw attention to what he saw as incidents of police brutality against people of color.

Marshawn Lynch appeared to stage a silent protest in his return to the NFL, as the Oakland Raiders' running back remained seated during the national anthem prior to the team's exhibition opener at the Arizona Cardinals.

Lynch, who was retired for the 2016 season, suited up but didn't take the field against the Arizona Cardinals.

"I'd rather see him take a knee than stand up, put his hands up and get murdered", Lynch said.

"I very strongly believe in standing for the national anthem, but I'm going to respect you as a man. That's a non-issue for me", Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said after the game, adding he was unaware Lynch had planned to sit during the anthem. When Kaepernick sat last summer, it didn't take long for the protesting to become not only an National Football League topic of discussion, but a country-wide discussion that was had.

Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers after the season, but hasn't yet been signed by another team.