Rodgers challenged those who argue that players are disrespecting veterans and members of the military with their protests, saying, “It’s never been about the military or our men and women in uniform. Like I said after the game, we love and support them. Each of us, I’m sure, have done charity events for them. I’ve been to Fort Wainwright in Alaska and done PT (physical training) with those guys at 5 in the morning. We love them. We’re thankful for the opportunity they give us.”

The idea of getting fans involved sprung from what Rodgers called “a fantastic team meeting” in which players discussed their various perspectives on the issues.

“I think it was Marty’s idea,” said Kendricks, who said he sat during the anthem for two reasons — to support Bennett, so he wouldn’t be sitting alone; and to bring awareness to people in his wife’s native Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. “Aaron spoke first (in the meeting) and he kind of laid it out and laid out the fact that he’s on our side and he understands the message being conveyed and (that we’re) trying to get across.