Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said adamantly Monday that he doesn’t believe the protests during the national anthem Sunday were a distraction for his team or influenced their play on the field in a loss to Buffalo.
Joseph spoke to his players Saturday night about President Donald Trump’s comments, in which Trump said “son of a bitch” protesters should be fired by NFL owners for disrespecting the flag. In his conversation with the team, Joseph encouraged players to “put the team first” and focus on the game Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Thirty-two Broncos players took a knee during the anthem, some with their arms locked. Some stood with their hands on the shoulders of kneeling teammates. Some had their fists raised. Some had their hands over their heart.
Joseph stood.
“My view hasn’t changed with this,” he said Monday. “I believe in standing for the anthem. That’s just my personal belief. I was raised that way. I believe in that. The flag and the anthem mean a lot to me as far the freedoms that we endure everyday as U.S. citizens. It’s important for me to stand. But that being said, our players have a right to a peaceful protest. That’s their right as U.S. citizens.
“But hopefully we can move past this and play football because politics and football don’t mix, in my opinion, and I’m a football coach, they’re football players and our job is to win football games. Hopefully, we can get back to that this week.”
Joseph said he believes the protests should be separate from game days, but that Sunday’s demonstration from his players did not factor into their 26-16 loss to the Bills.
“It should not be a part of what we’re doing on Sundays. That’s my personal opinion,” Joseph said. “But, again, I don’t think it’s a big deal once the football is kicked and snapped. It’s about the best teams playing the best football that day and winning the football game. That’s what it’s about.”
Brandon Marshall, who was among the 32 players who knelt during the anthem, said he wasn’t sure if he would protest before future games. Joseph said he plans to speak with his players later this week to “kind of figure out what’s best for our football team to keep us together” with regards to the protests.
“An NFL locker room, I think it’s a perfect example of what our country should be,” Joseph said. “You have guys from all sorts of families and backgrounds. They get along great in the locker room. So how we live should be an example for the country, how everyone should live, as far ignoring color and personalities and any differences. Ignoring those. If you’re a good person, I’m a good person, let’s get along. That’s our locker room. So I’m hoping we can come to a conclusion where we can all be on the same page. What that is, I don’t know yet. But we’ll figure it out.”
Denver Broncos team take a knee during the national anthem during their game against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 24, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, NY.
Alex Brandon, The Associated Press
Some members of the Oakland Raiders kneel during the playing of the National Anthem before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017.
Tim Ireland, The Associated Press
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, center, joins arms with players as some 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.
Matt Dunham, The Associated Press
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.
Matt Dunham, The Associated Press
Baltimore Ravens strong safety Tony Jefferson (23) and Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Matt Judon, left, kneel down with teammates 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.
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Members of the Houston Texans kneel before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
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Members of the New England Patriots kneel during the National Anthem before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
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Laremy Tunsil #67, Maurice Smith #27 and Julius Thomas #89 kneel with Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins during the National Anthem prior to an NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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Buffalo Bills players kneel during the American National anthem before an NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 24, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York.
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Members of the Indianapolis Colts stand and kneel for the national anthem prior to the start of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 24, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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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.
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Head coach Bill Belichick looks on as members of the New England Patriots kneel on the sidelines as the National Anthem is played before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
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Members of the Cleveland Browns stand and kneel during the national anthem before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 24, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) and Denver Broncos defensive back Will Parks (34) take a knee during the national anthem during their game against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 24, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, NY.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) take a knee during the national anthem during their game against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 24, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, NY.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Kneeling during the national anthem before the Denver Broncos play the Buffalo Bills in week 3 at New Era Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.