DETROIT -- When Donald Trump called players who were protesting racial injustice a "son of a (expletive)," and told owners to fire them, the Detroit Lions were furious.
Players were texting each other all day Saturday, and group texting each other. They began talking about how they could protest appropriately, while also still respecting the anthem.
In the end, they decided players should protest however they felt was appropriate. And nearly every one of them did in one form or another before Sunday's 30-26 loss against Atlanta.
"One of my biggest pet peeves is disrespect," tight end Eric Ebron said, "and I feel like we were disrespected as an organization.