LANSING, MI -- Four players from the Lansing Catholic High School football team have been benched for Friday night's game for saying they planned to kneel during the national anthem prior to the game, according to the Lansing State Journal.

Head coach Jim Ahern told the four players, including starting quarterback Michael Lynn III, they were being benched for their planned protest. Ahern declined to comment on the matter and referred questions to Lansing Catholic President Tom Maloney, who also declined comment, the news site reported.

A letter was sent home to parents regarding the matter.

Lynn III approached the school last week about wanting to protest by taking a knee and eventually an agreement was reached allowing the players to do so. However, that agreement no longer appears to be valid.

"I said this in the meeting (with the school). I said this feels like oppression. This feels like you're trying to silence me and it feels like you're not giving me the right to do what Americans should be able to do," Lynn III said.

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