Miami Dolphins to Stay Inside Locker Room During Both National Anthems: “Enough, No More Fluff and Empty Gestures”

According to the Miami Dolphins, their players will stay inside their locker room during both national anthems on Sunday when they take on the New England Patriots.

A video posted on social media on Thursday shows the Dolphins giving remarks.

“Is it authentic? That’s the mystery,” one Dolphins player asked. “Or is it just another symbolic victory?” another player responded.

ESPN explained that the athletes are “issuing a message Thursday demanding action rather than symbolic gestures in the fight against social and racial injustice and police brutality.”

“Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing” is traditionally known as the Black national anthem and is anticipated to be performed live or played before every Week 1 NFL game.

“This attempt to unify only creates more divide. So we'll skip this song and dance, and as a team we'll stay inside,” Dolphins players said in the video. “We need changed hearts, not just a response to pressure. Enough, no more fluff and empty gestures. We need owners with influence and pockets bigger than ours to call up officials and flex political power.”

Eighteen Dolphins players in the video said they are fed up with “empty gestures” as the result of the current actions for change.

“We don’t need another publicity parade,” said one Dolphins player.

“So, we’ll just stay inside until it’s time to play the game,” another player concluded.

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