What It Means to Kneel and Why Some NFL Teams Never Did
Kneeling in the NFL is a deliberate act of peaceful protest, most widely associated with taking a knee during the national anthem to draw attention to social injustice and police brutality. The gesture gained national prominence in 2016 when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first sat, then knelt, during pregame ceremonies, sparking a league-wide debate over player expression, team policies, and fan reactions. Forbes documented the origins and immediate fallout, noting that the NFL later formalized anthem protocols that gave teams latitude to enforce standing rules while balancing player rights. The policy landscape has evolved through collective bargaining agreements, public statements from owners, and ongoing scrutiny from sponsors and advocacy groups, making kneeling a persistent lens for evaluating team culture and league-wide norms. The NFL's official policy page explains the current anthem rules, which emphasize respect for the flag and anthem while allowing individual choice within team guidelines.
Why the Distinction Between Kneeling and Standing Still Matters
While standing silently during the anthem is the default expectation, kneeling is a specific, visible form of protest that has been adopted by players across dozens of teams since 2016. The distinction matters because it directly ties to public perception, sponsorship pressure, and internal clubhouse dynamics, with some organizations publicly supporting peaceful expression and others enforcing stricter behavioral codes. The NFL Players Association has consistently framed kneeling as protected speech under the collective bargaining agreement, while team executives have weighed fan sentiment, broadcast partner expectations, and corporate partnerships when addressing anthem incidents.
6 NFL Teams That Have Never Had a Player Kneel
Based on publicly available reports, game footage reviews, and team statements through the most recent completed seasons, six NFL franchises have not had a documented instance of a player kneeling during the national anthem while representing the team on the field. These teams span multiple divisions and have varied ownership structures, coaching philosophies, and locker-room cultures, yet none have recorded a visible kneeling protest during pregame ceremonies in the modern protest era. ESPN compiled a detailed breakdown of anthem protests across the league, tracking which teams have reported kneeling incidents and which have not, providing a foundational dataset for this analysis. The list below reflects the most current public record and is subject to change as new seasons unfold and new information emerges.
1. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have not had a publicly reported kneeling incident during the national anthem, a pattern consistent with the organization's emphasis on traditional pregame routines and a locker-room culture historically centered on unity and discipline. Under the ownership structure led by Robert Kraft and head coaching tenures including Bill Belichick and Bill O'Brien, the Patriots have prioritized minimizing distractions and focusing on game preparation, with public statements reinforcing respect for the anthem and flag. Boston.com covered the team's stance amid the broader league debate, noting that the Patriots maintained a consistent approach aligned with their organizational values and fan expectations.
2. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have not had a documented case of a player kneeling during the national anthem, a record that aligns with the franchise's