Montgomery County High School Football Team Kneels During National Anthem

Police shootings of black men have sparked protests at sporting events across the country -- including high school football games in the D.C. area.

On Friday, most of the Watkins Mill High School football team knelt during the national anthem before kickoff against Damascus High School in Montgomery County, Maryland.

"I choose to stand. I think there's a better platform to do it at, but I cannot as a human being, not as a coach or a teacher, judge my kids and tell them either they have to stand or kneel," said Michael Brown, Watkins Mill High School's head coach.

There was no hissing, shouting or booing during the protest.

Damascus High School Principal Jennifer Webster said she talked to students this week about the meaning of the protests.

Webster sent a letter to the Damascus community reading in part, "It is important that we listen to understand all perspectives and that we engage one another in a respectful way. We must remember that one of the great things about our nation is that our Constitution guarantees us the right to protest."

"I thought what an opportunity as a teacher and as an educator to elevate this conversation about, you know, the Black Lives Matter movement, First Amendment rights. There's so many opportunities and layers of conversation," Webster told News4.

Read Webster's full letter below:

"Recently, a conversation has emerged about what the National Anthem means to different people and communities in the context of race relations in America. Some, including student athletes in Montgomery County schools, are participating in this conversation by kneeling or engaging in other silent protests during the performance of the National Anthem. While not an easy conversation, this can be a great opportunity to learn from one another. If we listen to each other on this issue, we will grow in our ability to respect and understand diverse perspectives within our community.

"One of the challenges we face is that each of us brings our own experiences and values to the discussion. Many in our community represent law enforcement, the military and the government. As such, we have our own authentic reactions to the idea of a silent protest during the National Anthem. We consider the playing of the anthem to be a moment of respect toward our nation and those who serve it. This feeling runs strong for many, and it may be fueled by some powerful experiences we have with service to our country.

"At the same time, the student athletes who have chosen to kneel during the National Anthem have their own experiences with and perspectives on the current state of race relations in our nation. This leads me to want to ask them about their experiences to better understand what they see happening in our community.

"It is important that we listen to understand all perspectives and that we engage one another in a respectful way. We must remember that one of the great things about our nation is that our Constitution guarantees us the right to protest. In this case, we have the right to choose whether we stand during the National Anthem. The right to both participate in and not participate in patriotic exercises is reinforced in the MCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities. Respecting this right is critical.

"Damascus is a respectful, positive community. We have one of the best around! Let’s show that whether we agree or disagree with the young men from Watkins Mill or other schools we will compete against this year, we respect one another’s right to peacefully demonstrate our perspective."

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