Miami Dolphins Remains in Locker Room as All Patriots stands During National Anthem

 The Dolphins stayed in the locker room, a decision the team announced Thursday in a two-minute video that condemned the league for its “fluff and empty gestures.”

“We don’t need another publicity parade,” the players said, “so we’ll just stay inside until it’s time to play the game.”

Twenty minutes before kickoff, the Patriots lined up in the end zone for a pre-recorded performance of the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” by Grammy Award-winning Alicia Keys.

No players locked arms, nor did any raise their fists as Patriots stood for the national anthem during their season opener Sunday afternoon against the Miami Dolphins.