Why Adam Gotsis, a white man, chose to kneel with his Broncos teammates on Sunday

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — More than 30 Denver Broncos took to a knee during the National Anthem on Sunday afternoon, in protest of controversial comments made by President Donald Trump at a rally in Alabama on Friday night.

As eyes all over the country panned across the slew of players with one knee on the ground, one man stood out. Literally.

It was No. 99, Adam Gotsis, a native of Australia and the only white man in Orange & Blue with a leg in the grass, locked arm-and-arm with fellow defensive linemen Kyle Peko and Shelby Harris.

“That’s dope,” said linebacker Brandon Marshall.

Marshall was, of course, the first Bronco to join the peaceful protest last season, showing solidarity with his college teammate at Nevada, Colin Kaepernick.

“It means a lot, you know?” he added. “[Michael Bennett] said that it would be huge if a white player did it. [Browns tight end Seth DeValve] did it, Adam Gotsis did it. I think that’s amazing.”

For Gotsis, though, it wasn’t about skin color or anything of the sort.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white, man,” the second-year man told BSN Denver in an exclusive interview. “I’m doing it for freedom of speech. If anyone wants to exercise their freedom through their actions, it shouldn’t matter. They’re standing up for something that they believe in. I love my brothers. I believe in what they believe in.”

“I think it’s about supporting your brothers,” Gotsis added. “Everybody has a right to do what they want. That’s what they wanted, that’s their decision, and I think everyone should have a free choice to do whatever they want without being scrutinized.”

While for Gotsis it may not have been a big deal, his actions were widely respected in the Broncos locker room, and his stance is one that is shared.

“I was happy Adam did it,” said teammate Domata Peko. “I’m from Samoa; I’m not black. I did it because I love my brothers and if they’re not treating you fairly then I want to stand up for them… My teammates are family to me; if they’re going to take a knee for their freedom and for their rights, then I want to stand with them. I did it to support my brothers.”

A popular word in the Denver locker room,”brother,” has never been uttered more than it was on Sunday. A perfect example of how when times get tough, on or off the field, this team only gets closer.

“It’s one in, all in,” Gotsis concluded. “They’re my brothers; I support my brothers. End of story.”

End of story, indeed.