Jim Nantz Heard Criticizing National Anthem Protests on Thursday Night Football

Previously unreleased audio from the Sept. 29 Thursday Night Football game between the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals hit the internet Thursday, in which CBS announcer Jim Nantz expressed displeasure with national anthem protests.

According to Timothy Burke of Deadspin, Nantz said the following into a hot mic when the camera showed Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills and safety Michael Thomas kneeling during the playing of anthem: "They're going to keep kneeling as long as they have the cameras right in their face."

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Anthem protests have taken place across the league since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first did so during the preseason.

At the start of the fourth quarter of Thursday's clash between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers, Nantz and analyst Phil Simms discussed the fact that multiple Chargers players placed their hands over their hearts during the playing of "God Bless America," per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Kaepernick's stand against racial injustice has been joined by many during the regular season, including Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall and Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins.

Opinions regarding the demonstrations have been mixed, but announcers have largely refrained from taking sides on the issue.

The 49ers and Arizona Cardinals met on Thursday Night Football in Week 5, and Nantz did not comment on Kaepernick's protest during the broadcast.

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