President Trump made quite the splash in the sports world this weekend. Before revoking Steph Curry’s invite to the White House, he proceeded to admonish NFL players who have refused to stand during the National Anthem.
Here’s a quick recap of our president’s tweets.
If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country.Tell them to stand!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
…NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American Flag — we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their Country. NFL should change policy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
During a rally, our president also said the NFL should “fire them son of a bitch” anthem protesters.
This is how the NFL responded on Sunday.
Dozens of players from nearly every team took a knee while many others locked arms.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, the face of the sport, stood with his hand over his heart, while also locking an arm with a teammate. Brady wouldn’t discuss his stance on the politics of Sunday or his actions, simply saying he locked arms because of the love for his teammates.
President Trump seemed to have given a thumbs up to those who locked arms.
Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
The Titans, Seahawks and Steelers simply stayed in the locker room during the Anthem.
The only Steelers player who came out for the Anthem – Army veteran and offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva.
U.S. Army veteran Alejandro Villanueva was the only Steelers player to stand for the anthem, salute the troops pic.twitter.com/az82mBqWbP
— USA Military (@USAMilitaryUSA) September 24, 2017
Bills running back LeSean McCoy continued his stretching during the Anthem.
Full video from the protest by some #Bills players during the anthem from @Matt_Bove, @JennaCottrell, @WKBW, and @13WHAM pic.twitter.com/3bxyoA3UDf
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 24, 2017
Here’s what the NFL had to say in response to Trump’s remarks.
New NFL statement pic.twitter.com/XHPgVvPPfH
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) September 23, 2017
Possibly the most eye-popping response came from Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a known Trump supporter.
Statement from #Patriots Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft: pic.twitter.com/f5DJeK0Woj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 24, 2017
What can we take from all this? This social protest isn’t going away any time soon; it’s spreading to other sports. And the president can thank himself for it.
The L.A. Sparks walked off the court before the Anthem today. And an A’s rookie was the first in baseball to take a knee.
On the other end of the spectrum, Richard Petty said he would fire anyone who takes a knee in NASCAR.
In my opinion, the most reasonable response to come out of all this came from hall-of-fame quarterback Kurt Warner.
Kurt Warner gets it. pic.twitter.com/0FY7u8kKdS
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) September 24, 2017
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports.
Photo: Getty
NFL protest
-
The Broncos
-
In Detroit
-
Jaguars in London
-
The Patriots
-
Texans in New England
-
The Bills in Buffalo
-
Broncos take a knee
-
The Dolphins
-
The Browns
-
The Chiefs in LA
-
In D.C.