Patriots fans burn jerseys in response to players kneeling during national anthem

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Week four of the National Football League is kicking off with a little less controversy.

On Thursday night, the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears all stood for the national anthem and instead chose to link arms in a show of solidarity as a possible precursor for things to come this weekend.

Many players, including some New England Patriots players, said they plan on standing for the national anthem Sunday, but some fans said last weekend’s display has turned them off to the team.

The last public statement on the Patriots’ plan for this Sunday came earlier this week from Danny Amendola, saying the team tentatively planned to stand for the national anthem.

Boston 25 News also learned the NFL held a forum with about 20-30 players and owners on Tuesday about the protests and the messages behind them -- racial inequality in the United States.

Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater are among those who participated in the dialogue with Commissioner Roger Goodell.

McCourty is reported as saying the conversation was very productive and did not include any demands.

Several dozen Patriots fans voiced their grievances in a neighborhood in Swansea Thursday night by burning their Patriots jerseys and T-shirts.

The organizer, Mark Shane, said he has been a longtime Patriots fan but gave up on the team after 17 players took a knee this past weekend.

Those who attended agreed with Shane, but some stood across the street watching in disapproval.

“I was disgusted,” Vicki Belmore said of the players protesting racism in the United States. “I was mad upset. There’s a place and a time for a protest, and on a national football team it’s unacceptable.”

“I don’t think what the Patriots players did, or the other players around the NFL did was respectful to the flag or veterans,” Neil Arruda said.

About 20 police officers stood by as the burning took place. The display remained peaceful, no arrests were made and no fines were issued despite a warning from the fire department that it’s illegal to burn clothes.

Cox Media Group