NFL: Kaepernick thanks first players to kneel during national anthem

Colin Kaepernick used social media to thank the first two players who knelt during the playing of the United States national anthem on the opening Sunday of the National Football League season.

Miami Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson were the only players reported to kneel before the eight early games kicked off.

"My Brothers @kstills and @ithinkisee12 continue to show their unwavering strength by fighting for the oppressed!" Kaepernick said in a Twitter post accompanied by a picture of the two players kneeling.

"They have not backed down, even when attacked and intimidated. Their courage will move the world forward!

"Love is at the root of our resistance!"

Kaepernick is the most visible face among NFL players who have been using the anthem over the past two years to protest against social injustice and police brutality.

The issue has remained in the spotlight with U.S. President Donald Trump highly critical of the protesting players.

The NFL owners in May approved a rule requiring players to either stand on the field for the anthem or remain in the locker room, but the policy is on hold pending discussions with the NFL Players Association.

Kaepernick is no longer in the league, but remains in the headlines.

He voices a new Nike commercial that was unveiled during the first game of the NFL season between the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.

If Kaepernick is not backing down as the leader of the player protest movement, then neither is Trump.

On Sunday morning, Trump tweeted a reference to U.S. television ratings for Thursday's game, which started late due to bad weather.

"Wow, NFL first game ratings are way down over an already really bad last year comparison," Trump said.

"Viewership declined 13%, the lowest in over a decade. If the players stood proudly for our Flag and Anthem, and it is all shown on broadcast, maybe ratings could come back? Otherwise worse!"

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Brady powers Patriots in playoff win over Chiefs

WASHINGTON -- Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to spark defending Super Bowl champion New England over Kansas City 27-20 Saturday, advancing the Patriots in the NFL playoffs.

With Brady completing 28-of-42 passes for 302 yards, the Patriots reached their fifth consecutive American Conference championship game and will fight for a Super Bowl berth on January 24 against the winner of Sunday's playoff matchup between the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers.

It was four-time Super Bowl winner Brady's ninth career playoff 300-yard passing game, matching Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history.

Kansas City saw an 11-game win streak snapped. The Chiefs were thwarted in their bid to reach the conference final for the first time since 1993.

It was in last year's conference final that controversy erupted over the Patriots using under-inflated footballs, one that led the NFL to issue Brady a four-game suspension only to have the superstar quarterback take the issue to federal court.

A judge threw out Brady's suspension, citing a lack of fair due process, and the NFL has appealed that decision, a hearing set for after next month's Super Bowl so it will have no impact on New England's title repeat quest.

Cairo Santos kicked a 32-yard field goal with 12 seconds remaining in the second quarter to pull Kansas City within 14-6 at half-time.

But Knile Davis fumbled after a reception and New England recovered at its own 31-yard line. Five plays later, Brady connected with Rob Gronkowski on a 16-yard touchdown pass and the Patriots seized a 21-6 edge.

Kansas City answered with Alex Smith connecting on a 10-yard touchdown pass to Albert Wilson to lift the Chiefs within 21-13.

But New England responded with a 40-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal and then defensively forced the Chiefs to punt from their own end zone, setting up a 32-yard Gostkowski field goal that gave New England a 27-13 lead with 10:20 remaining.

The Chiefs closed within the final margin after Charcandrick West scored on a 1-yard run around right end with 73 seconds remaining.

New England's Gronkowski recovered Kansas City's onside kick attempt and the Patriots ran the final seconds off the clock.

New England grabbed a 7-0 lead only 4:37 into the game as Brady capped an 11-play, 80-yard march with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski.

Santos answered for the Chiefs with a 34-yard field goal, but Brady had more magic up his sleeve.

Brady went 6-for-6 for 63 yards passing in a 98-yard drive that ended when he scored on a 1-yard touchdown dive up the middle just 3:23 before half-time.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com