FACT CHECK: Did The Seattle Seahawks Burn An American Flag?
An image shared on Facebook claimed that a player for the Seattle Seahawks burned an American flag in the team’s locker room.
“This is what the Seattle Seahawks did in there [sic] locker room pass it around they didn’t want it to get out,” the image claims.
Verdict: False
This is a doctored image. The original photo, which does not include the burning flag, shows NFL player Michael Bennett leading the Seahawks in a victory dance.
Fact Check:
Conservatives have been critical of the NFL ever since former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick inspired players to kneel or sit during the national anthem. The image directs ire towards the Seahawks, referring to the team as “unpatriotic.”
“Seattle Seahawks are not patriots to USA!” the caption proclaims.
However, the image shared by the Facebook page is photoshopped. The original image, posted to the team’s Twitter account in January 2016, shows the players in their locker room engaging in a “victory dance.” No flags are being burned.
What do you do in the victory locker room? You victory dance.#SEAvsAZ pic.twitter.com/qJoVyG6ZM8
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 4, 2016
There have been no reports of flag burning by the Seahawks.
Bennett, the player featured in the image, has been a prominent supporter of the anthem protests. After being traded to the New England Patriots in March, he said that he would remain in the locker room during the anthem instead of kneeling or sitting.
