Swansea Man Burns Patriots Jerseys After Players Kneel

SWANSEA, MA – A Swansea man who's burned up over members of the New England Patriots kneeling during the national anthem set their jerseys on fire at his home on Gardner Neck Road Thursday night. According to CBS, more than 100 people joined Mark Shane in his demonstration, which he advertised on social media and with a law sign that read, "Come burn a jersey at the corner of Main St. in Swansea, Thursday @ 7pm!"

Well over a dozen Patriots took a knee during the national anthem ahead of New England's game against the Texans Sunday afternoon after President Trump spent much of the weekend railing against players who kneel during the anthem, suggesting owners fire them. Quarterback Tom Brady and Coach Bill Belichick were among those standing, Brady with his hand over heart and arms interlocked with other players.

Shane, who attended the game, told reporters he thought the stadium was not an appropriate forum for such a display. If he wanted politics, he said, he'd "turn to Fox or CNN." In an interview with the Fall River Herald News, he deemed Thursday's demonstration a "peaceful protest."

Shane decked out his yard with a fire pit, lights and folding chairs ahead of the event. Attendees were welcome to burn any Pats jersey they bring, as Shane's vitriol is directed at the organization as a whole and not just the kneeling players.

"We expect better from Belichick, we expect better from the owner, Robert Kraft," he told the network.

Kraft and Brady, both longtime friends of President Trump's, spoke up Sunday morning about the controversy. Kraft, a large donor to Trump's campaign, took a direct shot at the president's words.

In a Sunday morning statement, Kraft said he was "deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the President," while Brady appeared to endorse a message of unity and brotherhood among NFL players.

The actual burning lasted about 20 minutes and involved only a small number of jerseys, NBC reported; Shane told the network the remaining jerseys will be donated to the hurricane relief effort in Puerto Rico. Swansea officials did not grant Shane a permit for his demonstration, and there was speculation it would be shut down.

The Swansea Police Department closed Gardner's Neck Road North at Rt. 6; Hortonville Road South at Milford Road; and Main Street West at Elm Street from 5:45 p.m. until about 8 p.m.

Photo: Several New England Patriots players kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Michael Dwyer/Associated Press