Seattle Seahawks' Michael Bennett Burning US Flag: Fact Check

Story:

Seattle Seahawks’ Defensive End, Michael Bennett burning United States flag inside the locker room

Other Versions

Seattle Seahawks’ Defensive end Michael Bennett was captured on camera burning an American flag while they stayed in the locker room during the National Anthem on Sunday

Fact Check:

An image circulating a lot on internet space, especially on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter claims to show Seattle Seahawks League’s defensive end player Michael Bennett burning a United States flag enthusiastically inside the locker room, as other teammates are happily look on. No, the allegation is not true; the picture showing Michael Bennett burning an American flag is in fact a Photoshop creation.

Michael Bennett Burnsing US Flag?

The picture and the story garnered popularity because NFL (National Football League) players had earlier protested against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling, raising their fists or locking their arms during the American national anthem. Following it, during a political rally in Huntsville, U.S. President Donald Trump asked the crowd of supporters if they love to see one of those NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now?‘. The ‘controversial’ picture in question was also shared by Facebook group page Vets for Trump, to be deleted later.

sooo this is what’s making the rounds in conservative circles on Facebook tonight pic.twitter.com/Wf44adnMB7
— Matt Binder (@MattBinder) September 29, 2017

Picture Photoshopped

Yes, as you can see the original picture below, it only shows victory dance of Seattle Seahawks in the locker room. Dancing Michael Bennett does not carry any American flag nor it is set on fire.