Last week, the NFL announced a new policy to penalize players who kneel during the national anthem. The announcement drew fresh attention to the century-old tightrope that outspoken black athletes — from Floyd Patterson to Rose Robinson to Colin Kaepernick – have had to walk in order to compete and live by their principles.

Members of the Detroit Lions take a knee during the playing of the national anthem prior to the start of the game at Ford Field on September 24, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan.

Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

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Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

Members of the Detroit Lions take a knee during the playing of the national anthem prior to the start of the game at Ford Field on September 24, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan.

Rey Del Rio/Getty Images