Having the NFL back in action means weekends are now completely filled with games and creative food. It also means the national anthem protests, and the debate surrounding them, will continue to be a dominant headline.
Although there were very few players protesting during The Star-Spangled Banner on Sunday, Miami Dolphins players Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson both knelt during the anthem again, which had drawn plenty of criticism, including a Florida union urging police boycotts of Dolphins games and the NFL.
There is one person pleased to see it, however: Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick, the face of a new Nike advertisement campaign and a man in the middle of a collusion case against the NFL, made sure to praise both players for taking a stand.
"My brothers [Stills] and [Wilson] continue to show their unwavering strength by fighting for the oppressed! They have not backed down, even when attacked and intimated. Their courage will move the world forward!"
Other players to protest this weekend include Seattle Seahawks linemen Duane Brown and Quiinton Jefferson and Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and linebacker Brandon Marshall, who all went to the tunnel during the anthem. Dolphins lineman Robert Quinn, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and Los Angles Chargers tackle Russell Okung each raised their firsts.
That, of course, drew criticism from President Donald Trump.
"Wow, NFL first game ratings are way down over an already really bad last year comparison," President Trump tweeted. "If the players stood proudly for our Flag and Anthem, and it is all shown on broadcast, maybe ratings could come back? Otherwise worse!"
The declining number of protests during Week 1 means it all might be slowing down, but as long as players continue to do so, it will be a loud statement and debate.
It also means Colin Kaepernick will be right there to support it.
