Several cheerleaders at a school in Texas knelt for the national anthem before an American football game, mirroring the protest first triggered by NFL players angry at against racism and police brutality in the US.

In a match between McCallum and Lyndon B Johnson high schools, at least six cheerleaders were on bended knee for "The Star-Spangled Banner", according to the Houston Chronicle.

No player from either team knelt during the national anthem, added the Chronicle.

Tyrell Washington, a McCallum player, said that the players didn’t notice the protest. It is believed the cheerleaders also knelt during an earlier meeting before the game.

The cheerleaders were not available for comment, said the Austin American-Statesman.

McCallum football coach Charles Taylor came out in support of players who wished to take part in the kneeling demonstration. “I’ll say it; if my kids made the decision to do that, I’d support my kids.”

He added: "I love my kids. If they want to hit a knee, I’d support them because they are good kids.”

NFL players and their supporters take part in the bent knee protest (AP)

In Texas, several school districts said in a news release that players would be allowed to kneel during the national anthem without fear of any reprisals.

Issuing a statement, the Frisco School District has instructed coaches not to stop any students from kneeling.

Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Show all 8 1 /8 Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Lewis Hamilton (motor racing) Time says: 'Today he is at the highest echelon of the sport. If he were to retire tomorrow, he would still be among the very best champions who have ever lived. And I think he’s just getting started. The sky is the limit for him.' by Mario Andretti This content is subject to copyright. Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Usain Bolt (athletics) Time says: 'Usain Bolt is a light. There are a lot of things in Jamaica—and the world—that cause separation: politics, inequality, crime. But an entire generation can look up to Usain. He’s a unifying force.' by Ziggy Marley Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Ibtihaj Muhammad (fencing) Time says: 'Ibtihaj is one of the best fencers in the world—and an observant Muslim woman. This summer, she will represent the U.S. at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. And when she competes for her country, representing all of us, she will be the first American Olympian to do so while wearing the hijab. Ibtihaj embraced what made her stand out, and she’s an Olympian because of it.' by Kieth Ellison 2016 FIE Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Ronda Rousey (mixed martial arts) Time says: 'Imagine if we could teach our daughters to value their bodies for what they can do, not for how others think they look. Could Ronda be the one to finally help us understand that as females, we define the word feminine and that it doesn’t define us? If we don’t listen, can she dislocate our arms at the elbow?' by Tina Fey Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Katie Ledecky (swimming) Time says: 'Many of our sports heroes are sold to us based on their superhuman skill level. But every so often we get to experience one who combines these superior physical gifts with humility and grace while also letting us into his life to share the journey to greatness with him.' by Janet Evans 2016 Getty Images Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Stephen Curry (basketball) Time says: 'Many of our sports heroes are sold to us based on their superhuman skill level. But every so often we get to experience one who combines these superior physical gifts with humility and grace while also letting us into his life to share the journey to greatness with him.' by Misty Copeland 2016 Getty Images Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Jordan Spieth (golf) Time says: 'Rarely is an athlete so supremely confident yet incredibly humble, so systematic in his approach yet so fluid in his delivery. Jordan possesses rare competitive greatness that he somehow shuts off when the setting calls for it. And his graciousness toward others is genuine and real. He is the standard by which our heroes should be measured.' by Tony Romo 2016 Getty Images Athletes named on Time's 100 most influential list Sania Mirza (tennis) Time says: 'Sania and her partner on court, Martina Hingis, are No. 1 in doubles and utterly dominant—they have taken the past three Grand Slam events. Sania’s confidence, strength and resilience reach beyond tennis. She has inspired a generation of Indians to pursue their dreams—and to realize that they can also be the best.' by Sachin Tendulkar 2016 Getty Images

According to WFAA-TV, the school said it “did not create a district policy, and did not impose or suggest consequences for any students or staff for expressing an opinion on the merits of standing, sitting, kneeling, or locking arms during the national anthem".

In Louisiana, a high school principal sent out a letter to students and parents warning that any sportsmen or women could be taken out of their teams for protesting against the national anthem.

The action has spread throughout the sporting community after Donald Trump told NFL owners to dismiss players who knelt during the national anthem.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b**** off the field right now, he’s fired. He’s fired.'”

A year ago, Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco quarterback, began kneeling when the national anthem was played in protest against police brutality and racial injustice.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour," Kaepernick told NFL Media at the start of his protest.