Stoughton High School Football Players Take Knee During National Anthem

STOUGHTON, MA — Several members of the Stoughton High School football team kneeled prior to their game against Sharon High School Thursday.

Friday, a photo of members of the team emerged on the Stoughton News Facebook page. The picture was taken down due to several group members reporting the post as inappropriate, according to a post from group administrator Mark Snyder.

Another photo was obtained by the Enterprise. Stoughton High School Principal Juliette Miller said the students who took a knee will not be punished due to court decisions that students cannot be reprimanded for not participating in patriotic rituals.

Team coach Greg Burke said he was advised to not comment.

Kneeling has become a hot-button issue since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during the national anthem prior to a preseason game last year. Following a conversation with former Seahawks player and Green Beret Nate Boyer, Kaepernick and several other players began to take a knee instead.

Last week nearly 200 players took a knee in protest of comments made by President Donald Trump suggesting that players who do not stand for the national anthem should be fired.

Image: File Photo