All eyes were on the NFL Sunday ― but not just for what happened after the kickoffs.

NFL players throughout the country demonstrated before their games in defiance of President Trump’s harsh criticism of athletes who kneel during the national anthem. In a Friday speech in Alabama, he called such players “sons of bitches,” and then doubled down on his criticism in a series of follow-up posts on Twitter.

The first such protest occurred Sunday morning in London, and even included the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shahid Khan. He linked arms with his players — several of whom were kneeling during the anthem — despite having donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee.

Trump’s comments sparked a large social media response from a variety of professional athletes and celebrities, including singer Stevie Wonder, who took a knee during a performance Saturday night.

Trump responded to the demonstrations Sunday afternoon. He supported the shows of solidarity of players linking arms, but still disapproved those who chose to kneel, calling it “not acceptable.”

Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Baltimore Ravens

Players and staff on both teams kneeled and linked arms during the national anthem. An estimated 27 individuals took a knee on the field.

Unity pic.twitter.com/wSNsc4BSEV

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 24, 2017

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Chicago Bears

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced that his team would be staying in the locker room during the national anthem during Sunday’s game. 

Mike Tomlin just told me @NFLonCBS #Steelers will NOT be participating in the #NationalAnthem today in CHI. Staying in the locker room.

— Jamie Erdahl (@JamieErdahl) September 24, 2017

“We’re football players, we’re football coaches. We’re not participating in the anthem today. Not to be disrespectful to the anthem, but to remove ourselves from this circumstance,” Tomlin told CBS News. “People shouldn’t have to choose. If a guy wants to go about his normal business and participate in the anthem, he shouldn’t have to be forced to choose sides. If a guy feels the need to do something, he shouldn’t be separated from his teammate who chooses not to. So we’re not participating today.”

As it turned out, almost all the Steelers declined to come out on the field for the anthem. Offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, an Army veteran, broke with the team to stand on the field for the national anthem. When the Steelers emerged, many in the Chicago crowd booed them.

The Steelers were not on the sidelines during the national anthem. LT Alejandro Villanueva, who served in the Army, stood by the tunnel pic.twitter.com/teTCoJ3vFx

— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) September 24, 2017

@ChicagoBears locking arms during #NationalAnthem amid @NFL controversy. #TakeAKneeNFL #ResistTrump #leadersforthenext pic.twitter.com/aT3KxMNqOJ

— Charles Jefferson (@CJefferson91) September 24, 2017

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets

Miami Dolphins player Julius Thomas announced that he would be taking a knee with his teammates. Both teams linked arms during the national anthem.

pic.twitter.com/xFL6WSsdnK

— Julius Thomas (@Julius_Thomas) September 24, 2017

Both the Jets and Dolphins are  standing up and linking arms during the national anthem pic.twitter.com/NEspswZgRU

— Eric Morrow (@ericmorrow11) September 24, 2017

New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles player Malcolm Jenkins announced his team will be locking arms during the national anthem. In the past, Jenkins has raised his fist during the national anthem as a form of protest.

Both teams locked arms during the national anthem and several Eagles players raised their fists. The Eagles owners stood with the players.

More than ever we remain committed to advocacy 4 equality & social justice 4 all! @Eagles fans Join us in locking arms 4 unity in our city!

— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) September 24, 2017

.#Giants lock arms, and a few #Eagles players stand with their fists in the air during the playing of the #NationalAnthem @northjersey pic.twitter.com/1r0aCVYFfx

— Danielle Parhizkaran (@DanielleParhiz) September 24, 2017

Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions

The owner of the Atlanta Falcons Arthur Blank stood on the sideline with his team.

Several Lions and Falcons players kneeled during the anthem, others linked arms in solidarity. 

Many players on the Detroit @Lions took a knee today during the national anthem. ✊ #TakeTheKnee

📷: Getty pic.twitter.com/5AYVvIRooK

— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 24, 2017

Falcons your patriotism shines through above all others today. You have made this GA proud. Stay classy 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/nNSYfPKbR3

— edpalma (@ednadipalma) September 24, 2017

Rico Lavelle, who sang the anthem at Ford Field in Detroit, joined the demonstrations as well, finishing his rendition of the anthem by kneeling and raising his fist in the air. 

Rico Lavelle sang the anthem AND took a knee pic.twitter.com/mgno4HCzZQ

— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) September 24, 2017

Lions’ owner Martha Ford expressed support for players’ right to protest in a statement on Sunday.

“Our game has long provided a powerful platform for dialogue and positive change in many communities throughout our nation,” she said.

Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts

Several #Browns players lock arms, kneel for anthem pic.twitter.com/PhFBLDnm0d

— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 24, 2017

Various #colts players lock arms and kneel during national anthem pic.twitter.com/dlrnsZji9X

— Mykal McEldowney (@mykalmphoto) September 24, 2017

 Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was considered a potential Trump supporter during the election, was seen linking arms with his fellow teammates, but also had his hand over his heart. 

A large group of #Patriots players kneeling during the national anthem

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 24, 2017

Tom Brady during the anthem pic.twitter.com/F0oxVVJDg5

— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017

Tom Brady is locking arms with his teammates pic.twitter.com/IbUjnlKGF2

— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) September 24, 2017

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were not seen kneeling, but one player, Julius Peppers, was not on the field for the national anthem and later appeared.

A group of @Saints remained seated during the #StarSpangledBanner #NOvsCAR pic.twitter.com/nO4yAJCK25

— Fans Favorite FAN (@FansFavoriteFan) September 24, 2017

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings

.@TBBuccaneers wide receivers @MikeEvans13_ and @DeSeanJackson11 kneel during the national anthem before kickoff against @Vikings #Bucs #NFL pic.twitter.com/vPKPsIDoAJ

— Loren Elliott (@Lelliottphoto) September 24, 2017

#Vikings owners/players arm in arm for the National Anthem. @kare11 pic.twitter.com/clXazIjfCf

— Brandon McCauley (@bpmccauley) September 24, 2017

Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills

The Broncos were booed as many players chose to take a knee during the national anthem.

Boo birds as half the Broncos take a knee.  #denvsbuf pic.twitter.com/7SJIwDLzN9

— Rockpile Report (@RockpileReport) September 24, 2017

An overwhelming majority of the Denver @Broncos took a knee today during the national anthem. ✊ #TakeTheKnee

📷: Getty pic.twitter.com/8R1v7Y4hJ8

— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 24, 2017

Kneeling/locking arms at Bills-Broncos game pic.twitter.com/pQHLwooBex

— Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) September 24, 2017

Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans

The Seahawks’ players announced before the game at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee that they would not be participating in the national anthem to “protest the injustice that has plagued people of color in this country.” The team’s players revealed their decision in a statement to ESPN correspondent Josina Anderson.

Breaking: The #Seahawks players have sent me a statement saying they will not be participating in the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/nKd2KlYFLf

— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 24, 2017

The Titans announced that they too will not appear on field during the national anthem in order to remain united as a team. Unlike the Seahawks, the Titans emphasized that the gesture would not be a protest of racism.

“As a team, we wanted to be unified in our actions today,” the team stated. “The players jointly decided this was the best course of action. Our commitment to the military and our community is resolute and the absence of our team for the national anthem shouldn’t be misconstrued as unpatriotic.”

SHE TOOK A KNEE #TakeTheKnee THE SINGER OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM TOOK THE KNEE 👏👏👏👏👏 A STATEMENT pic.twitter.com/QTYUSXg32r

— UNCLE ARTP♥️P (@Uncle_ARTPOP) September 24, 2017

Surreal scene here in Nashville as entire #Seahawks, Titans teams including coaches, staff, all players skip national anthem pic.twitter.com/UCdANOKdAV

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 24, 2017

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Green Bay Packers

Three Green Bay Packers players ― Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks and Kevin King ― sat during the national anthem, marking the first occasion when any member of the team protested during the song. Other players, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, stood and locked arms.

“It’s unfortunate that the president decided to use his immense platform to make divisive and offensive statements about our players and the NFL,” Packers CEO Mark Murphy said in statement. “We believe strongly that players are leaders in our communities and positive influences. They have achieved their positions through tremendous work and dedication and should be celebrated for their success and positive impact.” 

’We believe that it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope for good,” Murphy added. “As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely.”  

#GoPackGo @packers @Packers_Mx pic.twitter.com/Rn61DRhZio

— Federico Espinosa (@fedex_15) September 24, 2017

Kendricks went on to catch the Packers’ first touchdown of the game, performing the iconic “Lambeau leap” into the stands, where the fans received him warmly.

When you’re a #Badgers alum and a #Packers tight end, you throw up the “W” during your first Lambeau Leap. pic.twitter.com/8aCGEb2SN5

— Jordan Schelling (@jordanschelling) September 24, 2017

None of the Bengals players took a knee during the national anthem, choosing instead to stand and lock arms.

“Football and politics don’t mix easily. Fans come to NFL games to watch great competition on the playing field and that’s where our focus should be,” the team said in a statement.

Bengals lock arms but don’t kneel during National Anthem. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/piw0aZT3Ee

— Jeff Brogan (@jbrogan) September 24, 2017

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers

#Chiefs LB Justin Houston kneels towards the bench during the Natuonal Anthem as several players kneel @KCStar pic.twitter.com/Gvg00ATuWT

— David Eulitt (@davidphotokc) September 24, 2017

During Chiefs-Chargers, Travis Kelce is maybe the most prominent white player to kneel today. Several Chargers players kneeling, too. pic.twitter.com/nnmJIGjmMA

— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) September 24, 2017

Oakland Raiders vs. Washington Redskins

The Oakland Raiders offensive line, the only all-black unit in the NFL, sat alongside the entire team in protest during the anthem. Raiders players remained seated on the team bench, arms linked together, in a slightly different version of the “take the knee” protest.

United. pic.twitter.com/5rQI3G6oMb

— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) September 25, 2017

The Washington Redskins had mixed responses during the anthem, with some players kneeling and the majority standing with linked arms. Redskins owner Dan Snyder stood with the team in solidarity with his players. 

Snyder donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration committee earlier this year.

The Redskins stand with linked arms – some players are kneeling – as most of the Raiders sit during the national anthem pic.twitter.com/cFrz0E9PaF

— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) September 25, 2017

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