BEREA, Ohio — Browns QB Baker Mayfield took to Twitter Saturday afternoon to announce he plans on standing for the national anthem the next time he takes the field.
Mayfield said he made the decision after having been shown “that a gesture such as kneeling will only create more division or discussion about the gesture, rather than be a solution towards our country’s problems at hand.”
The QB said he was letting his intentions be known Saturday so it’s not a discussion on game day.
In his statement, Mayfield cited the Dolphins' plan of action to stay in the locker room during the anthem, which was discussed in a video posted to social media earlier this week. In the video, players expressed their discontentment with the NFL's gestures regarding social justice.
"We don't need another publicity parade, so well just stay inside until it's time to play the game," the video said.
BREAKING NEWS: The@MiamiDolphins players will stay inside for both national anthems. They express their discontentment with what they call “fluff and empty gestures” by the @NFL pic.twitter.com/ghUktHhPt9
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) September 10, 2020
You can read Mayfield’s full statement below:
After watching Thursday's game and also watching the Dolphins player's video.. it shows that it is not about who is standing or who is kneeling for the anthem. But instead, coming together and taking action to create real change.
Also after reading many letters and messages over the past few weeks... I have been showed that a gesture such as kneeling will only create more division or discussion about the gesture, rather than be a solution towards our country's problems at hand. With that being said, I am choosing to stand for both anthems to show respect, love, and unity to everybody involved.
I will respect all of my teammates no matter their decision. We have had meaningful discussions on what true change looks like, and that change takes all of us being together. My heart is even more passionate than it was months ago, due to the fact that we are not close to being where our country needs to be. I love this country, but these challenges and adversity are an opportunity for much needed change for issues that have been going on for far too long. It is going to come down to how we handle adversity and taking advantage of our opportunities.
I am posting this now so it is not a discussion on game day. And so the discussion can continue to be about how to better our country, instead of divide us. Our team is ready to fight for our goals both on and off the field.
Go Browns
-Baker
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) September 12, 2020
Mayfield's decision Saturday comes less than three months after he took to Instagram to express that he would "absolutely" kneel this season after a fan asked him not to.
RELATED: Browns QB Baker Mayfield says he 'absolutely' will kneel during national anthem this season
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