Tyron Woodley quotes MLK in response to NFL protests: ‘The time is always right to do what is right’

As support and outrage over NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem continues to boil, the UFC’s fighters are taking to social media to give their thoughts.

The latest wave of controversy to sweep the nation is one that has been bubbling away for months before finally began boiling over, with the start of the 2017-18 NFL season. During the 2016 pre-season, San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat down during the national anthem – played before NFL games across the league – in protest of police violence toward black communities.

Eventually, Kaepernick began kneeling – in deference to military service members and veterans. At the end of the year, he opted out of his contract with the 49ers, electing to enter free agency instead. And while he has been unable to find a position with another NFL team since the end of the 2016-17 season, his protest has gained a groundswell of support from other players and athletes to start this football season.

Among the athletes showing their support is current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley:

“The time is always right to do what is right.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

A post shared by Tyron Woodley (@twooodley) on Sep 25, 2017 at 7:24am PDT

And he’s joined by fighters like Leslie Smith and Corey Anderson.

Rights are like muscles, if they don’t get used they go away. I support everyone who decided to #TakeAKnee

— Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) September 25, 2017

This President is out his rabbit a** mind. #TakeAKnee

— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) September 24, 2017

If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything… #TakeTheKnee #usingmysoapbox pic.twitter.com/SxbHCrOAX4

— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) September 25, 2017

Look it up:
US flag code chapter 10.
P.S upon understanding the hypocrisy and foolishness let’s get to the root ☝️

— Justin Willis (@BigPrettyMMA) September 26, 2017

Of course, the whole thing has brought out its fair share of dissenters as well.

#dontdisrespectmyflag Repost @ronintactics There are a lot of people that place too much attention to athletes or actors thinking that they should be role models. In my eyes they are just another American that wouldn’t have their freedoms if it wasn’t for the ones that will stand and protect their way of life. I feel if they are going to be in the sports or entertainment world then maybe they should respect the freedom that is offered to them by the selfless sacrifices that was made by our true American heroes and role models. Maybe it’s time the world relooks who they feel should be our role models and celebrities to our American people. #dontdisrespectmyflag

A post shared by Donald Cerrone (@cowboycerrone) on Sep 24, 2017 at 3:21pm PDT

Im a libertarian, that said I find the majorityof the government needs a purge. I feel this way because my love of country #StandForTheFlag pic.twitter.com/Xvh3NrkBhg

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) September 25, 2017

We should all stand together for the anthem and soldiers, @realDonaldTrump I hope you make new policies for police officers training

— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) September 25, 2017

To benefit both the officers safety as being more trained and experienced and the civilian who who must be losing it fighting the police

— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) September 25, 2017

Honestly police officers have bad days too and sometimes go out and take it out on the wrong people, then they catch murderers #Torn

— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) September 25, 2017

What do the @steelers fans think about the whole team not coming out for the national anthem? I think it’s absolutely disrespectful!

— The Prototype (@AdamMilstead) September 24, 2017

Not that everyone is taking it all that seriously…

pic.twitter.com/Rc35bBaXI1

— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) September 25, 2017

#KnowWhatYoureKneelingFor pic.twitter.com/zyReyIkjht

— Jordan Johnson (@doublejmma) September 26, 2017