Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall has lost his endorsement deal with Air Academy Federal Credit Union after he took a knee during the national anthem in protest on Thursday night before the Broncos opening game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Colorado-based credit union which serves active and retired members of the United States military released this statement on their Facebook page.
“Although we have enjoyed Brandon Marshall as our spokesperson over the past five months, Air Academy Federal Credit Union (AAFCU) has ended our partnership. AAFCU is a membership-based organization who has proudly served the military community for over 60 years. While we respect Brandon’s right of expression, his actions are not a representation of our organization and membership. We wish Brandon well on his future endeavors..”
Marshall, who played alongside Kaepernick in college, told reporters that he felt that protesting the anthem was “the right thing to do” and that he had nothing against the military or the police.
“I’m against social injustice. I’m not against the military, the police or America at all. I’m against social injustice,” Marshall said. “I felt this was the right thing to do.
“This is the right platform. This is our only platform to be heard. I think a lot of times people want us to just shut up and entertain them, shut up and play football. But we have issues as well. We’re educated individuals who went to college. When we have an opinion, I feel like a lot of people bash us for it.”
The credit union made the decision to part ways with Marshall despite the fact that the Broncos linebacker said he will be donating to various charities that support military veterans.