Richard Sherman says anthem protests message getting lost

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman says the public isn't listening to the message NFL players are trying to send with their actions during the national anthem.

While some fans are obsessing about whether players take a knee, raise a fist or lock arms during the national anthem before games, Sherman said they should be talking about the reasons why players are protesting.

Sherman did not take questions during his media availability on Wednesday. Instead, he walked to the podium, said a few words about this week's opponent San Francisco and then gave a two-minute statement about what players have wanted to accomplish.

Sherman's message came after a pair of police shootings this week, one in Charlotte, North Carolina, another in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

"More videos have come out of guys getting killed, and I think people are still missing the point," Sherman said. "The reason these guys are kneeling, the reason we're locking arms is to bring people together to make people aware that this is not right. It's not right for people to get killed in the street."

Cox Media Group