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NFL player from DeKalb protests during anthem and gives critics a tip

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) appears to be praying and linebacker Ukeme Eligwe (45) sits on the bench during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, Oct. 2, 2017.

Credit: Ed Zurga

Credit: Ed Zurga

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) appears to be praying and linebacker Ukeme Eligwe (45) sits on the bench during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, Oct. 2, 2017.
By Joshua Sharpe
Oct 6, 2017

Stone Mountain High grad and rookie Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Ukeme Eligwe has an invitation for anyone wondering why he didn't stand for the anthem during Monday Night Football: write me a letter.

"If anybody, if I've offended anyone, anyone who truly believes me sitting during the national anthem is hurt by it, write me a personal letter," Eligwe said, according to Chiefs Digest. "I'll write you back. We can become pen pals. I want to understand where you're coming from, you can understand where I'm coming from."

Eligwe, the team’s fifth-round draft selection in this year’s draft, said a personal conversation is the best way.

But he did tell Chiefs Digest he meant no disrespect by not standing at the start of the game against the Washington Redskins.

“They just see us sitting and just think it’s disrespect,” he said. “My point of view, what I want to take on it is if someone wants to take their time out of their day and write me a letter, then I’ll take time out of my day and write them back.”

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In other news: 

The activists spoke out during a DeKalb County Board of Commissioners meeting.

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