by Kadeem Simmonds

A number of NFL players continued their protest against the US national anthem on Sunday.

Four Miami Dolphins players — running back Arian Foster, linebacker Jelani Jenkins, safety Michael Thomas and wide receiver Kenny Stills — took to their right knee as the anthem played before the Dolphins’ 12-10 loss to the Seahawks in Seattle.

The group were barraged with hatred for taking action against racial injustice, with model Kate Upton slamming their actions as “a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country.”

Their decision to not stand during the national anthem was the latest in a series of protests in solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began demonstrating against the anthem during the league’s pre-season games last month due to ongoing racial injustice in the US.

Upton, who is engaged to Major League Baseball pitcher Justin Verlander, specifically condemned the players’ actions as “more horrific” because occurred on the 15th anniversary of the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks.

On the opposite side of the field, Seahawks players linked arms during the anthem in a sign of unity.

Prior to the game, players spoke of how they had something planned and had wanted to kneel as a team.

However, some players didn’t want to due to close ties with the military and the team made the decision to all stand, including Jeremy Lane who had said previously that he would sit during the anthem.

Across the league a number of players also stood in solidarity with Kaepernick. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raised his fist during the rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, in homage to Tommie Smith and John Carlos during their medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

Peters did say he would demonstrate against the anthem, telling reporters on Friday: “I salute Colin for what he’s doing for a great cause.

“I’m 100 per cent behind him. What’s going on in law enforcement, it does need to change and it does need to change for everybody, not just us as black Americans.”

Tennessee Titans players Jurrell Casey, Wesley Woodyard and Jason McCourty raised their fists though it is unclear whether they did it before, during or after the national anthem.

In the final game of the night, New England Patriots pair Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty raised their fists at the end of the national anthem.