SEATTLE -- Last week, several Seattle Seahawks players made it clear that they supported the actions of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

But instead of joining Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem, the Seahawks locked arms before their game Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

"It was on a unified front," said wide receiver Doug Baldwin. "We wanted to do something together as a team. The statement that we're making is obviously we want to honor those lives that have been lost 15 years ago on this tragic day and also honor those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom that we cherish.

"We want to ensure that freedom and the security of justice for all people. It's a situation for us where you've heard us. The message is very clear, you've heard us. Now we're asking you to listen to our message."

Defensive end Michael Bennett said the message is the same one that Kaepernick is trying to relay.

"Kaepernick's my friend," Bennett said. "So at the end of the day, I respect everything he's doing. His message is the same message that we're doing. We just did a different gesture. At the end of the day, it's not about the gesture, it's about the action and reactions of what we're doing."

Added Baldwin, "It is [the same as Kaepernick's]. Let me clarify that for you. The message that we're sending is, 'Yes, there are things in our country that need to be changed.' But that's why our country is so great. We're never afraid to face those challenges head on and make those changes. We're never afraid to make the uncomfortable the norm, and that's why we're so great."

Baldwin said the team spent three hours talking to sociologist and activist Dr. Harry Edwards recently.

"He said the difference between a mob and a movement is a follow-through," Baldwin said. "So our team is united together to have a follow-through. At this very moment, we're scheduling meetings with the mayor of Seattle, with police chiefs across the state, and we're discussing ways to just start the discussion.

"That's the first step, is to have communication. We need to know the perspective of other people. The greatest tragedy for any human being is going through their entire lives believing the only perspective that matters is their own. We need to break down those walls and barriers and get people to see that there's perspectives outside of their own eyes."

Bennett was asked why the Seahawks chose to lock arms rather than go with a different pre-game demonstration.

"Everybody's contemplating certain things, but at the end of the day, it comes down to the majority," Bennett said. " As a man, sometimes you've got to drop your pride and realize that sometimes it's bigger than you. It's about what the majority of people want to do. You can be selfish and go out there and do something the opposite, and then all of the pressure will be on you. But you'll forget that it was about us. And about us is always the greatest thing."