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Irony In Activism: Seahawks' Michael Bennett Experiences What He's Been Protesting

Elaine Thompson
/
AP Photo
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, left, sits during the singing of the national anthem as center Justin Britt, right, stands next to him before an NFL football preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Seattle.

The Seahawks open their regular season on the road Sunday afternoon. They play the Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin. KNKX sports commentator Art Thiel said the game follows a week of shocking revelations from defensive end Michael Bennett.

Bennett says he was the victim of racial profiling and excessive force by police when he was questioned in handcuffs last month in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Police Department disputes those claims.

Both sides held news conferences this week. Bennett said he was frightened by the incident.

Las Vegas police showed a police cam video of the incident. It was also obtained by the website TMZ.com.

Here's what Thiel had to say about Bennett, who has a history of social activism:

"It could not have been more ironic because Bennett has been sitting for national anthems. His way of protesting the social injustice he sees."

"He specifically addressed the shooting of unarmed African Americans by police when he said it could've been him."

"The irony, of course, is he's been such an activist and such a courageous figure in trying to call attention to these episodes."

Also in his commentary this week, Thiel said he thinks the Seahawks will have a very good season. He thinks they can get 12 wins. But he doesn't think one of them will be on Sunday against the Packers in Green Bay. Thiel pointed out the Seahawks last won at Lambeau Field in 1999.

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Art Thiel and KNKX Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick will be talking with Seahawks punter Jon Ryan at a Sports Salon event at the World Trade Center Seattle on Tues., Sept. 12, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. For ticket information and details, check out our calendar.

Never miss an episode again. Subscribe to Sports With Art Thiel with iTunes orGoogle Play now. You can find Art Thiel's work at Sportspress Northwest and Crosscut.com.

Kirsten Kendrick hosts Morning Edition on KNKX and the sports interview series "Going Deep," talking with folks tied to sports in our region about what drives them — as professionals and people.
Art Thiel is a co-founder and writer for the rising sports website Sportspress Northwest. In 2003 Thiel wrote the definitive book about the Seattle Mariners, “Out of Left Field,” which became a regional bestseller. In 2009, along with Steve Rudman and KJR 950 afternoon host Mike Gastineau, Thiel authored “The Great Book of Seattle Sports Lists,” a cross between historylink.org and Mad Magazine that has become mandatory reading for any sports fan who has an indoor bathroom.