[Costello:] The NFL season kicks off with patriotism and protests. And the national anthem played, some players kneeled, others raised their fists or locked arms. To highlight the problems of racial injustice and police brutality, tonight all eyes are on the player who started it all. 49ers quarterback, backup quarterback, Colin Kaepernick takes the field against the new L.A. Rams. Christine Brennan joins us now to talk about this. Good morning and thanks for being here.
[Christine Brennan, Cnn Commentator:] Sure, thanks.
[Costello:] So I think probably the strongest protest was the New England players raising their fists, right?
[Brennan:] Yeah, you could say that. Although you have the four Miami Dolphins who were kneeling opposite the sideline where the Seahawks were all linking arms. So maybe that game, Carol, Miami and Seattle, might have had the most action in it. But yes, there were, there were protests and pockets of protests if you want to say that. Or unusual, different kind of displays of as opposed to just standing at attention for the national anthem throughout the day yesterday. Of course still a vast minority of the players in the NFL. But on 911 of all days, which of course, I think created all the interests that we're discussing right now, of course.
[Costello:] Oh yeah, it happened on 911, a place where we really want to pause to remember America you know and, you know11, its finest moments. And of course, our first responders and do you think that this these protests will eventually go away? Or is this just or is this here to stay throughout the season?
[Brennan:] You know I think we're going to see it for a while. And my sense, Carol, is that what happened yesterday was a bit of a pause because, as you were just alluding to, this was of course September 11th. And people, even if you wanted to protest maybe, hey this is where we'll link arms, we won't take a knee. And that's what happened with Seattle for example. So I think we're going to see more of this. We've seen it in soccer with Megan Rapinoe, the U.S. Women's star. We've seen it in some high schools and colleges just a little bit. I think we're going to see more. Whatever you think, whatever your opinion is personally; for it, against it. Obviously the NFL has, I think, said it best, they're threading the needle right now by saying, "well we ask our players to stand and we encourage that." The NFL has also said, "we completely respect their right to freedom of expression and to do what they want." Let's see how that plays out over the next month or two if this continues.
[Costello:] I know The Today Show, Matt Lauer asked Roger Goodell what he thought about Colin Kaepernick's initial actions. Here's what he said.
[Matt Lauer, Host, The Today Show:] Are you proud of Colin Kaepernick for taking this stand?
[Roger Goodell, Commissioner Of The Nfl:] Listen, I support our players speaking out on issues that they think need to be changed in our society. We don't live in a perfect society, Matt. Our players have strong views about things. So I support our players speaking outward against that. But that's what the focus should be on. The changes he wants to see in our society.
[Costello:] So Roger Goodell seems kind of conflicted there, doesn't he?
[Brennan:] Yeah, wise though to play both sides, kind of against the middle. I think what we're going to see a lot, Carol, in the next few weeks is these athletes who are taking a knee, people are going to ask, start asking questions about what they're doing in the communities, what kind of donations they're giving. I think that's also a very valuable part of this conversation.
[Costello:] OK what do you think's going to happen tonight when the 49ers take the field?
[Brennan:] Well I think Kaepernick will probably be taking a knee. I don't know for a fact, but my guess is that's the case. Of course, it's not 911, it's the day after. So that might be a positive in that sense. But I think he's going to be consistent and continue to do something, as in taking a knee or sitting.
[Costello:] All right, Christine Brennan, thanks for being with me this morning.
[Brennan:] Thank you.
[Costello:] You're welcome. Still to come in the Newsroom, fire erupts at the Florida mosque once attended by the Pulse Nightclub shooter.