How Chiefs teammates discussed conflicting opinions on national anthem protests

Josh Peter | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption What we learned NFL Week 3: Protests in spotlight SportsPulse: NFL insider Jarrett Bell on how the football world responded to President Trump's comments on national anthem protests, as well as how Week 3 of the season was full of upsets and wild finishes.

CARSON, Calif. — Chris Conley, the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver who knelt during the national anthem Sunday, said two teammates told him they disagreed with his form of protest but respected his right to do it.

That may have best captured the day’s sentiments when, following President Trump’s call for NFL owners to fire or suspend players who protest during the anthem, dozens of NFL players did just that — and even more players didn’t.

Conley said one of his teammates approached him in the tunnel as the Chiefs were getting ready to take the field for their game with the San Diego Chargers. He said the other teammate approached him after Conley knelt during the anthem.

"The fact that he was able to say that to me is really one of the cool things I think sports can take to the world," Conley told USA TODAY Sports after the Chiefs’ 24-10 victory over the Chargers. "In this locker room there are so many different backgrounds and varying opinions and ideas, and he was able to come to me and say, 'Hey, respectfully, I disagree. But I support you because you’re my teammate. And if this is something that’s important to you, it’s important to me.' "

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Conley said one of the teammates said his acceptance stemmed from a pregame meeting, during which players voiced their opinions about the protests aimed at raising awareness of social injustice.

"One of them said, 'Because we were able to talk like that in the locker room, I have so much more respect for you,' " Conley said. "Because we were able to voice our opinions, we were able to talk, we weren’t afraid."

Standing across the locker room, Chiefs long snapper James Winchester acknowledged he is among those who object to Conley’s decision to kneel during the anthem.

"Personally, I choose to stand," said Winchester, wearing a T-shirt with an American flag on the back. "We live in a country that God’s blessed us to have the freedoms that we have. A lot of people died for our country. To me that’s what (standing during the anthem) means to me. ...

"But I think it’s important to say together as a team and to respect one another."

Follow Josh Peter on Twitter @joshlpeter11.