Brandon Marshall Says He Will Stand During National Anthem for Rest of Season

Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall has decided to end his protest during the national anthem after being encouraged by progress in the last couple of months.

The 27-year-old explained his decision Sunday in an extended message on Instagram:

Marshall first started kneeling during the national anthem before the season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 8. While he felt strongly about the decision, it cost him multiple endorsements, with companies dropping him shortly after the act on national television.

In addition to helping drive the conversation about police violence, Marshall also promised to donate $300 per tackle over the course of the 2016 season. The linebacker has 38 tackles through seven games.

The fifth-year player followed the lead of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began sitting during the preseason in opposition to a "country that oppresses black people and people of color," per Steve Wyche of NFL.com.

Marshall became one of the first to follow this message after his own negative experiences, as described in an essay for the Denver Post.

"One person can make a change," Marshall said. "Colin Kaepernick started the fire, and I believe it takes other people’s participation to keep it burning."

He also met with Denver Police Chief Robert White to discuss the situation shortly after beginning his protest.

While Marshall conceded not everything is perfect, his "hope for what we can become" is enough to make a change in his pregame ritual.