Saints and Falcons Lock Arms in Unity Circle During National Anthem Before MNF

Ever since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided not to stand during the national anthem in the preseason, protests and demonstrations before sporting events have become a topic of national conversation.

The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints joined that discussion before their game on Monday Night Football, forming a unity circle, as Nick Underhill of the Advocate shared:

"Violence and what's happening in our country is a serious issue," said Saints quarterback Drew Brees after the Falcons' 45-32 win. "It was an appropriate way to show our unity."

Brees' full comments can be found at the 4:06 mark in the following video: 

Josh Katzensein of the Times-Picayune provided Saints running back Mark Ingram's thoughts on the gesture: 

Atlanta and New Orleans formed the circle as a message of unity after violence and protests have dominated headlines since police officers killed Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott, per Sports Illustrated.

Scott was killed in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday, and protests on the streets have shaken the city in the aftermath, per WSOCTV.com.

According to ESPN.com, police were “on high alert” before the Carolina Panthers’ game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday “after learning that protesters [were] planning to block entrances to the stadium.”

Kaepernick told Steve Wyche of NFL.com that he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

The 49ers signal-caller has received numerous death threats for his non-violent protest, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.

Kaepernick has inspired a number of athletes to kneel during the national anthem, including fellow NFL players Arian Foster and Brandon Marshall, United States women's national soccer team player Megan Rapinoe and the Indiana Fever's entire team before a WNBA playoff game, per Mark McClune of CBS 5 in Phoenix.

Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Michael Rose-Ivey said he also received threats for kneeling during the anthem ahead of Saturday's game, per ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg.

LeBron James took time to praise Kaepernick for protesting in non-violent fashion during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ media day Monday, as NBA TV passed along:

The Saints and Falcons can now be added to the growing number of people that have taken part in non-violent protests up and down the country.