Before training camp began, Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey made news in London by saying he would simply take the fine for protesting the anthem.
Casey, who has raised his fist along with other Titans teammates at the end of the anthem last season, instead offered a salute at the conclusion of Saturday’s performance by singer Savannah Maddison before the Titans’ 30-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Casey said it was a move back to what he had done before anthem protest became an issue in the NFL, and hopes to take a different avenue toward bringing awareness to social injustice causes.
“Before I started raising my fist, I did the salute,” Casey said in the Titans locker room Saturday night. “Right now, we’re working on things to get things moving on the social injustice platform. I’m trying to make sure I use my platform the right way and find different ways we can use this platform in a better way. Not necessarily just as a protest but also helping the community out and trying to find solutions that we can get involved with using the platform.”
Casey, who has never taken a knee during the anthem, has been involved in social causes for sometime now. He and his wife Ryann, who is an attorney, have been involved in helping people who have been incarcerated transition back into society after their release from prison.
Casey, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, at the start of camp clarified his stance on the anthem protests at the start of camp.
“Me and my wife will continue to work in the community and do what we do, and that is bring light to social injustice,” Casey said at the beginning of training camp. “That’s what we’re all about. We’ll continue spreading the word.”
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