About 25 Michigan players locked arms in a circle during the national anthem on Saturday to protest social injustice.
ANN ARBOR — Last month, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said he respects his players’ rights to free speech.
Prior to the Wolverines’ game against Michigan State on Saturday, more than two dozen Michigan players exercised that right, locking arms in a circle during the national anthem to protest social injustice.
Michigan senior linebacker Mike McCray, one of the players in the circle, cited «social injustice in the world and recent events on campus dealing with racism» as reasons for the protest.
«I feel like we needed to show support behind the situation,» McCray said following Michigan’s 14-10 loss to MSU.
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Hundreds of NFL players have knelt or exercised similar anthem routines over the past several weeks to protest police brutality involving people of color and perceived social injustices, but also as a show of unity against president Donald Trump, who urged NFL owners on Sept. 22 to fire players who kneel during the national anthem.
The practice hasn’t been as popular at the college level, especially with most stadiums playing the national anthem before both teams take the field. Players are typically on the field for the anthem at Michigan Stadium.
McCray said the players talked prior to the game about locking arms, but the circle was not planned.
«It was just something that happened,» McCray said.
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Last season, seven Michigan players, including McCray, raised their fists during the playing of the «Star-Spangled Banner.»
Also last month during a Big Ten coaches teleconference, Harbaugh said he would respect his players’ rights if they wanted to kneel during the national anthem.
