Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey intends to protest during the national anthem during the upcoming NFL season, and he's prepared to pay whatever fines comes his way. While in London during an event promoting the Titans vs Chargers game that will take place on October 21 at Wembley Stadium, Casey voiced his stance on the matter.
"I'm going to take my fine." Casey said, according to CNN. "It is what it is, I ain't going to let them stop me from doing what I want to do. If they want to have these battles between players and organizations, this is the way it's going to be."
Earlier this off-season, the NFL announced a new national anthem policy requiring players to stand if they are on the field during the performance, but gives them the option to remain in the locker room if they prefer. According to NFL.com, a team will be fined if players or personnel are on the field but "do not stand and show respect for the flag" during the national anthem.
As for Colin Kaepernick, Casey says that man deserves to be on an NFL roster, especially given all the "trash quarterbacks" that get a shot.
"I think he definitely deserves it," Casey said. "For all these trash quarterbacks you see that get a shot, that come in and sit on the bench all day, you got a starting quarterback that's out there that can go out there and play.
"You know he has the skill set to be a starting quarterback, and you hold him out just because he is speaking his mind. At the end of the day it speaks (volumes) on what these people really think about you."