Bears continue national anthem protests

The Bears continued to protest police violence and social injustice during the playing of the national anthem.

Before their “Thursday Night Football” contest against the Buccaneers, eight Bears players kneeled along their own sideline: inside linebackers Josh Woods and Joel Iyiegbuniwe and defensive linemen Brent Urban, Roy Robertson-Harris, Akiem Hicks, Mario Edwards, Jr., and Bilal Nichols. Right tackle Bobby Massie kneeled next to Nick Foles. The starting quarterback, who stood for the anthem, put his arm around Massie.

Bears coach Matt Nagy linked arms with backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky near midfield.

Outside linebacker James Vaughters raised his fist while standing on the sideline.

As has been the case this season, about half the team stayed in the tunnel until the anthem ended. When it did Thursday, 24 Bears players sprinted to their sideline from the tunnel on the northwest side of Soldier Field.

The Bears have protested during the national anthem for each of the first five weeks of the season.