What do Florida State middle blocker Mara Green, three players from West Virginia University Institute of Technology, and the Minneapolis South High School volleyball team have in common? They've all recently staged protests against racial inequality during the national anthem at their matches.

I am unhappy with the racial tension, racial injustice and police brutality in our country. This is my way of silently and peacefully protesting.

While NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick initiated the trend with his protests during the national anthem, the message behind his actions has reverberated far beyond his 49ers team. Florida State's Green first knelt during the national anthem when FSU played Little Rock on Friday, September 9. She did so again in front of more than 1,500 fans before the Seminoles took on in-state rival Florida at home on Wednesday, September 14.

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"I have had several family members that have served in the military and I have the highest respect for those who serve our country," Green said while reading a prepared statement to members of the media after the Florida match. "I am unhappy with the racial tension, racial injustice and police brutality in our country. This is my way of silently and peacefully protesting."

FSU head coach Chris Poole made a statement on Green's protest following the Little Rock match.

"Mara made me aware of her intention to kneel for the national anthem," he said. "Florida State University is an institution of higher learning that recognizes a student's right to freedom of expression. Similarly, I respect Mara's right to freely express herself."

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Members of the Desoto High School volleyball team from Desoto, Texas, took a knee during the national anthem before their match on Tuesday. The players expressed concern that the next African-American male shot could be their dad, brother, or boyfriend. 

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Both Desoto head volleyball coach Rhea Reed and school board president Carl Sherman were supportive of the athletes' protest.

"Our students are constantly exposed to the realities facing our Nation today, specifically the reality of what it means to be a minority in a society with implicit biases," Sherman wrote in a statement released to the media.

"Our students are witnessing the erosion of the 14th amendment right before their eyes. A lesson in liberty and justice, once reserved for textbooks, is now on full display in streets across our Nation . . . I am thankful for our coaches and administrators who allowed our students to take the road less traveled. It is my prayer that it makes all the difference for our students, our community and these United States of America."

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Our students are constantly exposed to the realities facing our Nation today, specifically the reality of what it means to be a minority in a society with implicit biases.

West Virginia University Institute of Technology senior Keyonna Morrow and freshmen Jade Berry and Roytihala Brown joined the silent protest movement before their match against Emory and Henry on Wednesday, September 7.

The women said they have received a mixture of support and backlash on social media. However, WVU Tech coach Paul Sunderland said he supports the athletes' actions and dismissed calls from detractors who said he should bench the three women.

WVU Tech released this statement:

"As an institution of higher learning, we encourage the free exchange of ideas among all our students, faculty and staff. We value everyone's right to free speech. Even though there were differences of opinion among those in attendance at Wednesday's volleyball game, our students were respectful of one another and their opinions. We are proud that our students can have civil conversations about difficult issues and concerns. They are a positive example of how we can hold different views and opinions while still engaging in constructive dialogue to gain new perspectives and understanding. The university will protect the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution."