It's a story that's been a big part of the national conversation in recent weeks. Now it's having an impact at the local level. Matt Hunter has more on the statement made by Niskayuna football players during Thursday night's game.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – One day before his team was to take on Guilderland High School, Niskayuna head football coach Brian Grastorf got wind some of his players were planning to kneel during the national anthem.

"I heard some rumors that some of the players were considering peacefully protesting during the national anthem," Grastorf said. "I definitely was not shocked by any means but it definitely was a big deal. It's a very important issue in the country right now."

Photos sent to us by a viewer show a number of teammates kneeling, with others linking arms before the game. Grastorf says those players who participated felt strongly about the silent protest.

"The biggest thing was just a racial injustice,” Grastorf. “Nobody is going to deny, there is racial injustice in the world and we have many guys from many different backgrounds, many different ethnicities part of our team."

The Niskayuna School District superintendent released a statement after Friday night’s protest saying the students will not be penalized. Through a written statement, Niskayuna's superintendent, Cosimo Tangorra, Jr., addressed the matter Friday morning.

“As a school community, we support all of our students and their right to express themselves in a peaceful and civil manner,” Tangorra said. “We respect that there are diverse perspectives in our nation, community, and student body on the issues that have been debated across the country in recent days. It must be clear to all that the students who chose to kneel broke no school rule and will not be penalized in any way.”

While he did not try to dissuade them, Grastorf says he did talk to his players before the game and warned them that not all in the community may support their decision to kneel.

"I wanted them to be aware of that, that I cannot control what people in the stands do; I cannot control what people do on social media," Grastorf said.

First started more than a year ago by then-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was speaking out against police brutality, choosing to kneel or link arms during the anthem has become commonplace in recent weeks, especially after comments made by President Donald Trump discouraging the act.  

Without taking a stance on the issue, Grastorf admits he's proud of his players who are willing to stand up for their beliefs.

"Whether your decision is to stand or kneel but to respect other people's choice of what they want to do or what they believe, I think says a lot about people," Grastorf said.