Paralyzed vet stands for anthem - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2

Denver, Colo. (KUSA) — The cameras have recently been focused on the NFL players protesting during the national anthem, but Matt Keil wants you to see him standing.

The Iraq War veteran, paralyzed from the chest down by a sniper’s bullet, gathered with family and friends outside Mile High Stadium in Denver before Sunday’s Broncos-Chargers game.

“The message that we’re all hoping to send is that not standing for the national anthem does nothing but disrespect every service member and their family members who ever fought for this country,” Keil said.

As the strains of the national anthem could be heard from the stadium loudspeakers, Keil raised his specialty wheelchair into the standing position.