Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett has been one of the most outspoken players participating in the protests opposing the unequal treatment of minorities by law enforcement started by free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick last year.
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On Wednesday, Bennett shared an experience of his own that occurred in Las Vegas recently in which police forced him to the ground and pointed a gun at his head, which he claims they threatened to "blow my f—ing head off."
Bennett said the scene took place as he was leaving the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor less than two weeks ago, when a loud sound that sounded like a gunshot was heard. The lineman claims ran away from the sound for consideration of his own safety and had an officer pull a gun on him, order him to the ground and threatened to shoot him if he moved. He added that a second cop came over and put a knee in his back to detain him.
Bennett said he was handcuffed by the officers and sat in the back of a police car until they confirmed his identity.
"The Officers' excessive use of force was unbearable," Bennett wrote. "I felt helpless as I lay there on the ground handcuffed facing the real-life threat of being killed. All I could think of was "I'm going to die for no other reason than I am black and my skin color is somehow a threat.' My life flashed before my eyes as I thought of my girls. Would I ever play with them again? Or watch them have kids? Or be able to kiss my wife again and tell her I love her."
Bennett noted that the incident and those similar are why he has chosen to sit during the national anthem and plans to continue to, "because equality doesn't live in this country and no matter how much money you make, what job title you have, or how much you give, when you are seen as a N—-, you will be treated that way."
