The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org. August 17, 2017 Seattle Seahawks Star Michael Bennett Sits Out National Anthem in Protest ------------------------------------------------------------------------- And in sports news, Seattle Seahawks star Michael Bennett sat on the sidelines during the playing of the national anthem Sunday, ahead of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bennett said last weekend's neo-Nazi violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, inspired him to take a stand. Michael Bennett: "I just want to be able to use my platform to be able to continue to speak on injustices. First of all, I want to make sure people understand I love the military. I love-my father was in the military. I love hot dogs like any other American. I love football like any other American. But I don't love segregation. I don't love riots. I don't love oppression. I don't love gender slander. And I just want to see people have the equality that they deserve." Click here to see our extended interview with the NFL star. Meanwhile, NBA star Le Bron James took a jab at President Trump Tuesday during a charitable fundraiser, calling Trump the "so-called president of the United States" during a speech calling for healing after the weekend's violence in Charlottesville. .