Will NFL Players Kneel During National Anthem After Las Vegas Shooting?

Airing the national anthem was a hot-button issue for most television networks last week, as NFL players kneeled or locked arms in symbolic protest during the anthem in response to remarks made by President Donald Trump.

However, following to Las Vegas’ tragic mass shooting Sunday that left more than 50 dead and hundreds injured, sports channel ESPN will air the anthem prior to the game with a moment of silence to honor the victims, Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch reported.

Some networks like Fox opted not to air the anthem during the Week 4 games, whereas stations like NBC and CBS decided to televise it. ESPN initially decided not to show the national anthem during its "Monday Night Football" broadcast of the Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium Monday.

Over 50 people were killed and more than 500 were injured during an outside concert event in Las Vegas Sunday. Police say suspected gunman Stephen Paddock, 64, fired at a crowd of about 22,000 concertgoers from a window in a room at the nearby Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. He is believed to have died by a shot from his own gun before police were able to enter the room.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who has been supportive of NFL players’ right to kneel in protest during in-game national anthems, released a statement on Twitter Monday in the wake of the mass shooting in Las Vegas.

"The thoughts and prayers of the entire NFL family are with the people and first responders of Las Vegas during this difficult time," Goodell tweeted along with a statement from the City of Las Vegas on how to help victims of the shooting.

Many NFL players also took to Twitter and offered condolences to the victims of the shooting.

The Oakland Raiders, who are scheduled to move to Las Vegas by 2020, released an official statement Monday about the tragedy.

"The Raiders family is shocked and saddened by the tragedy in Las Vegas and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and first responders," the statement read. "The heart of the Raider Nation goes out to Las Vegas."

Though it’s not clear whether players will continue to protest the anthem in the wake of the Las Vegas tragedy, it’s worth noting that fewer players than last week opted to sit or kneel during the anthem Sunday. The symbolic act was championed by then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to protest police brutality against minorities.

The NFL deliberated last week on how to move past the issue of protesting during the anthem as Goodell sat with players and owners Tuesday evening in New York. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva and Baltimore Ravens Coach John Harbaugh spoke prior to Sunday's game regarding the protesting issue.

"At this point, this whole kneeling [or] standing up is a much bigger issue than the things that we’re asking for as a league," Villanueva said Sunday, according to the Washington Post. "We’re trying to be conscious of social issues. We’re also trying to be very respectful of the flag. And how it’s being demonstrated has taken a much larger stage than the actions on the field."