3. The Seahawks players were among the most supportive of Kaepernick's national anthem protest last season. Kaepernick initially sat during the anthem and Seattle cornerback Jeremy Lane soon did the same to back him up. Several Seahawks spoke out on Kaepernick's behalf. He later went from sitting during the anthem to kneeling. The Seahawks locked arms during the anthem as a sign of team unity. Kaepernick said he would stand during the 2017 season, so a potential distraction has been eliminated. When Sherman was asked in March if Kaepernick was being blackballed, he said, "I'm sure he is."