Injured North Texas player takes a stand on national anthem debate

HURST, Texas - Several NFL players continue to kneel during the national anthem before kickoff, but one injured high school football player is taking a stand.

A viewer sent FOX 4 this photo of L.D. Bell's Vita Tonga before Saturday night's game against Keller. He tore the ACL in his right knee in their loss against Coppell last week.

Tonga had surgery Friday, just in time to be on the sidelines with his team. Other suggested he take his wheelchair to the front during the national anthem, but he stood instead.

He told the Dallas Morning News, "People give their lives just so I can stand up over here in the United States. So therefore, I feel as an American citizen I should stand."

Meanwhile, Colin Kaepernick and teammate Eric Reid took a knee before the San Francisco 49ers season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Rams defensive end Robert Quinn and receiver Kenny Britt held up fists.

They said it's in protest of police brutality and racial oppression in the U.S.