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Marcus Ball Suspects Panthers Released Him for Gesture During National Anthem

Defensive back Marcus Ball wrote a piece for The MMQB that was published Sunday in which he discussed the possibility the Carolina Panthers cut him in 2016 because of a gesture he made during the national anthem.

Carolina lost a September contest to the Minnesota Vikings that season in what was Ball's first game since he was elevated to the roster from the practice squad. He pointed his hand skyward during the anthem and was released before the team's next game.

He said he'd received a missed call and text from the Panthers two days after the game to bring his playbook to the team office.