Phoenixville Football Players Kneel During Anthem On Friday: Report

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A pair of Phoenixville Area High School football players reportedly took a knee during the national anthem before the recent Phantoms game against Pottsgrove.

PA Prep Live first reported that Phoenixville wide receivers and defensive backs Zion Small and Dorian County executed the symbolic and controversial gesture of protest prior to the Friday evening competition.

The incident comes in the midst of a tumultuous NFL season which has seen weekly controversy over pre-game protests by players, coaches, and staff.

Earlier last week, Norristown native and Albright sophomore Gyree Durante took a knee during the anthem before a game against Delaware Valley University. Durante was later kicked off of the team for his action.

NFL protests first garnered national attention last year when quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem, calling it a motion of solidarity with people of color who had been oppressed. In particular, the protest zeroed in on recent cases of police brutality against African-Americans. As protests continued into 2017, President Trump has said team owners should order players to stand. Vice President Pence walked out of the Indianapolis Colts game last weekend when players took a knee before the game.

Pottsgrove beat Phoenixville handily on Friday, 53-7.

Patch has reached out to Phoenixville school and team officials for comment.

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