NFL linebacker Brandon Marshall recalls protesting during national anthem, understands violent protests

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Former Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall said Monday he wasn’t surprised that protests over the police-involved death of George Floyd turned violent over the last few days.

Marshall was among the NFL players who kneeled during the national anthem to protest social injustices in 2016 – a movement sparked by Colin Kaepernick. “We tried to do things peacefully,” he told TMZ Sports,

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“I just think that people are fed up, which is why the violence has started,” Marshall said. “I would never want to see anyone get hurt, but I see why. If you could understand the timeline, if you could understand the course of events that continues to happen, it's only natural that happens.”

Marshall defended taking a knee during the national anthem but lamented that it didn’t get “enough attention” and “didn’t change many laws.”

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“When I was kneeling, and when I tried to stand up, Denver changed their use of force policy. So, I thought that was a win, right, I’m all that’s cool that’s one step for the bigger picture,” he told TMZ Sports, adding that he may consider kneeling during the anthem again.

Marshall is currently a free agent.

He signed with the Oakland Raiders during the 2019 season but never played for them. He was waived in November, according to Sportrac.

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He played for the Broncos from 2013 to 2018. He recorded 418 tackles for them in 69 games.