Stevie Wonder bends both knees ‘for America’ during Global Citizen concert

Stephen Brashear/AP Photo
Ahead of a game against the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins' Jelani Jenkins (l. to r.), Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills all took a knee during the national anthem on Sept. 11, 2016. Following the game, the Dolphins released a statement citing that "we encourage all members of our organization to stand at attention during the national anthem out of respect and appreciation for the freedoms we are afforded as Americans." It continued with "We also recognize that it's an individual's right to reflect during the anthem in different ways. We respect these liberties and appreciate the sacrifices that everyone has made for our country, especially on this day of remembrance. We hope today's events will continue a respectful and thoughtful dialogue in our community on unity, inclusiveness and togetherness."
NBC
New England's Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty took a different stance during the Sept. 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Both teammates were seen on national television with their right fists raised in the air towards the end of the National Anthem. "As players, we respect the anthem," McCourty told reporters after the game. "But you also see a lot of guys who believe in using our platform and trying to be the leaders and help change in the country. We love this country, but it doesn't mean we can't improve it."
New York Daily News
The day after San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick decided to take a knee during the National Anthem, the front page of the Daily News read "Land of the Knee." The headline was accompanied by the photo of Kaepernick kneeling during a preseason game on Sept. 1, 2016 to protest police brutality and other social injustices.
Troy Wayrynen/USA Today Sports
Across the field, the entire Seattle Seahawks team including offensive tackle Bradley Sowell (78), left, quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and tight end Luke Willson (82), joined arms during the National Anthem before the game on Sept. 11, 2016. "We wanted to do something together, as a team," wide receiver Doug Baldwin told reporters about the joint effort. "The message we're sending is that, yes, there are things in our country that need to be changed. But that's why this country is so great, because we're never afraid of facing those challenges head on. In this locker room of 53 guys, we believe that as a team, the only way we're going to win the Super Bowl is if we do it together. That's where we arrived that, if we're going to do this, we have to do it together."
Tony Avelar/AP Photo
Before the entire Seattle Seahawks team decided to link arms in unity for the game on Sept. 11, 2016, their cornerback Jeremy Lane was the first to take a stance. Lane remained seated as the National Anthem played during a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 1, 2016. "I just like what he's doing, and I'm standing behind him," Lane told reporters, referring to his support of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. "It's something I plan on keep on doing, until I feel like justice is being served."
John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star via AP
During the National Anthem, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters also took a stand by raising his fist in the air before the season opener against the San Diego Chargers. "I love being black and I'm supporting Colin as far as what he's doing as far as raising awareness of (the) justice system," Peters told reporters after the game. The rest of his teammates opted to lock arms with one another "as a sign of solidarity," the team said in a statement.
SHANNON STAPLETON/REUTERS
Stevie Wonder takes a knee with his son, Kwame Wonder (r.), before performing at the Global Citizens Festival in Central Park on Saturday.
Joe Mahoney/AP Photo
Earlier in the week, inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) knelt during the National Anthem but faced backlash that costed him two endorsement deals so far. A day after taking a knee during a game against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 8, 2016, Air Academy Federal Credit Union dropped their endorsement with Marshall. A few days later, CenturyLink followed suit and also decided on "politely terminating our agreement with him," according to their statement.

PUBLISHED: September 23, 2017 at 11:10 p.m. | UPDATED: April 7, 2018 at 3:48 p.m.

Stevie Wonder took a cue from athlete Colin Kaepernick to protest President Trump as he headlined the Global Citizen Festival.

The blind singer, 67, bent both knees with the help of his son, Kwame Wonder, and called on his Central Park audience to denounce bigotry and sexism Saturday night.

“Tonight, I’m taking a knee for America,” said Wonder.

“But not just one knee, I’m taking both knees. Both knees and pray for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe.”

The “Superstition” crooner did not blast Trump by name, but teased two opposing world powers in North America and North Korea as a lesson in peace.

“We must take care of each other, and this planet. If we don’t, we could lose the ultimate video game of life,” Wonder said, referencing an exchange of insults between Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

“Weapons are real and rhetoric is dangerous,” Wonder said.

Wonder then dusted the dirt off his knees, and jokingly said that he could see it, before kicking off his show with “Master Blaster.”

Later in the set, Wonder sang “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and gave a shout-out to Sen. John McCain, who vowed Friday to not support a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.

“Sing it for Sen. McCain,” Wonder cried. “It’s about doing the right thing.”

Wonder’s hopeful statement comes hours after Trump called for a football boycott and urged National Football League owners to fire players with the gall to protest social injustice issues, such as Kaepernick.

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback refused to stand for the national anthem in August 2016, and bent the knee instead.