A sponsor has dropped Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall after he kneeled during the national anthem before Thursday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
Air Academy Federal Credit Union, which had been in a sponsorship deal with Marshall for the last five months, announced Friday it was ending its relationship with the Bronco. Marshall’s actions ― a protest against social injustice that followed San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the anthem ― were “not a representation of our organization and membership,” the credit union’s CEO, Glenn Strebb, said in a statement.
“I’m not against the military or police or America at all,” Marshall said of his decision to kneel. “I’m against social injustice and I feel like this was the right thing to do.”
The Broncos said they respected Marshall’s decision to protest, though added they encourage members to stand during the anthem. After the game, a media relations staff member advised Marshall not to look at his Twitter mentions because “there’s gonna be a lot of hate,” MMQB reported.
“They said, ‘you might lose endorsements,’” Marshall told the publication. “I’m ready for that.”