NFL players kneel during national anthem before first preseason game

The NFL's 32 team owners unanimously approved a new policy this offseason to require players to stand respectfully during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner", but the NFLPA appealed the rule.

The Miami Dolphins' Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson both knelt during the anthem ahead of their preseason opener game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Miami Herald sports reporter Adam Beasely.

Robert Quinn, a defensive end for the Dolphins, raised his fist.

Michael Bennett walked out of the tunnel during the playing of the anthem and headed to join his team. Philadelphia Eagles Malcolm Jenkins, who plays safety, and De'Vante Bausby, a cornerback, also raised their fists, according to The Philadelphia Enquirer.

Jefferson, Jackson and Brown were among the Seahawks players who sat during the anthem last season.

A dozen games were played Thursday night.

Kaepernick tweeted Thursday night, lauding the action of two players who protested. Many vowed to risk the fine and continue protesting, despite the policy.

The debate ratcheted up a notch in 2017 when US President Donald Trump said kneeling players showed "total disrespect for our great country".

The gestures from Stills, Wilson and Quinn come just a day after the Dolphins organization submitted a nine-page disciplinary document to the National Football League that included a section called "Proper Anthem Conduct", according to the Sun-Sentinel. In July, the league and players association jointly announced that the new rule was "frozen" until further notice.

"The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the anthem issue", read the joint statement.