FOXBORO — A week earlier, it was Brandin Cooks who made the big play of the game, catching the touchdown pass that carried the Patriots to victory over the Houston Texans.
He followed up the big catch by delivering some very big words as he referenced his uncle and late father, both former U.S. Marines, in explaining why he didn’t stand for the national anthem.
It was different yesterday. Much different.
Instead of 16 Patriots players taking a knee prior to their team’s Gillette Stadium showdown against the Carolina Panthers, players stood with their right hand on their hearts, and with their left hand on a teammate’s shoulder.