No anthem protests before Pirates-Cardinals game

Rob Biertempfel
Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 1:54 p.m. | Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 1:54 p.m.

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Bucking a protest trend among NFL players, all of the Pirates and Cardinals players and coaches on the field stood for the national anthem before Sunday's game at PNC Park.

Last year, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the anthem. Kaepernick said he wanted to raise awareness about inequality and racism in America.

On Saturday, Oakland A's catcher Bruce Maxwell, a recent call-up, became the first MLB player to kneel during the anthem.

After President Donald Trump said players who disrespect the anthem shoulder be “fired,” dozens of NFL players took a knee before games on Sunday. Steelers players refused to leave their locker room until after the anthem was played before their game against the Chicago Bears

“We appreciate our players' desire and ability to express their opinions respectfully and when done appropriately and properly,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.

Rob Biertempfel is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at rbiertempfel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BiertempfelTrib.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

The Pirates stand for the national anthem before a game against the Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, at PNC Park.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stands over the Browns' Ricardo Louis after Louis took a hit from William Gay during the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. A late flag was thrown for unnecessary roughness on Gay.

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Jacksonville Jaguars players lock arms and kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace, from left, former player Ray Lewis and inside linebacker C.J. Mosley lock arms and kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Baltimore Ravens players kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

President Donald Trump walks off the stage after he speaks at campaign rally in support of Sen. Luther Strange, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Huntsville, Ala.

Fans walk up Wembley Way as they arrive for an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)