After a wave of protest last week, the number of NFL players sitting out the anthem fell dramatically on Sunday. But divisions within America were once again on show as some fans booed players who chose to kneel or pray before the anthem was played.

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The protests started last season when Colin Kaepernick knelt during the anthem to highlight racial injustice in America. But they grew to an unprecedented level last week when more than 200 NFL players kneeled, sat or prayed during the anthem after Donald Trump criticized players who chose to protest.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’” the president said during a speech in Alabama.

On Sunday, the vast majority of players chose to stand for the anthem, although teams such as the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars knelt before the Star-Spangled Banner was played. If that decision was taken to appease critics who say sitting out the anthem is disrespectful to military veterans and the country as a whole, it was not entirely successful – sections of fans booed both teams. The Ravens said over the public address system they were having a silent prayer for “unity, kindness and justice for all Americans”.

It didn’t stop loud boos from raining down on the team, who had advanced several steps on to the field to take the knee. Their opponents, the Pittsburgh Steelers, simply stood silently. The week before, the team did not come out on the field for the national anthem.

Prior to the team taking the field, a recording of the patriotic Lee Greenwood country song God Bless The USA was played in the stadium as two color guards, one of active duty military and a second of Vietnam veterans marched on the field. Both the song and the color guards are customary at Ravens games. However, the end of the song was unusually followed with loud chants of “USA, USA” from the crowd.

Star Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who was the most notable active player to take a knee in London, was initially booed when he was introduced in the pregame ceremonies. However, the boos quickly turned to cheers when the eccentric Suggs revealed he was entering the field wearing a mask similar to that worn by the character Bane in the 2012 movie The Dark Knight Rises.

SB Nation (@SBNation) Before the national anthem, the Ravens took a knee.



Fans booed. pic.twitter.com/yfLecHZYTr

Other teams, such as the Detroit Lions and New York Jets, chose to stand during the anthem with their arms locked in a show of unity. In Sunday’s early game in London, three Miami Dolphins players – wide receiver Kenny Stills, safety Michael Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas – knelt during the anthem. Members of the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions also knelt before the anthem at their games.

Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) Spotted in Baltimore pic.twitter.com/k5Sz1CW8wI

The protests have highlighted the fractures that run through American society. An ESPN survey earlier this week showed that most African Americans and Democrats support players protesting during the national anthem, while white Americans and Republicans are opposed.

According to the survey, overall results suggest a small majority of Americans oppose the protests. There is evidence that ticket sales and television ratings are also down this season, although those falls cannot be categorically linked to the protests.

On Saturday, Trump once again reiterated his objection to the anthem protests. “Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem. Respect our Flag and our Country!” he wrote on Twitter.