(left to right) Coach Dan Quinn, Devonta Freeman [24]. Arthur Blank. Julio Jones [11]. Taylor Gabriel [18]

(left to right) Coach Dan Quinn, Devonta Freeman [24]. Arthur Blank. Julio Jones [11]. Taylor Gabriel [18]

GPB's Leah Fleming speaks with the VP of the Atlanta NAACP Branch, Gerald Griggs

Sports has long been known as the great unifier. But in the NFL, this season feels different.  

Hundreds of players, coaches and owners joined together to make a social justice statement during the national anthem last Sunday.

They kneeled, locked arms, or stayed in the locker room during the song.

This comes after President Trump denounced NFL players that choose to kneel or sit during the national anthem, calling them "sons of bitches."  

The anthem protests started last season, when quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee to highlight racial injustice.

The on-field demonstrations have caused a wide rift between Americans, whether you’re a football fan or not.   

Gerald Griggs is the vice president of the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP.

He sat down with GPB's Leah Fleming to talk about protesting in sports, patriotism, and free speech.

Gerald Griggs, VP of Atlanta NAACP

Gerald Griggs, VP of Atlanta NAACP

Tags: Colin Kaepernick  protest  NAACP  Atlanta Falcons  Donald Trump  NFL  Atlanta  Georgia