NFL Commissioner Says Trump's Comments on NFL Showed "Lack of Respect"
By RJ Johnson - @rickerthewriter
September 23, 2017
US President Donald Trump addresses a rally for Sen. Luther Strange (R-AL) at the Von Braun Civic Center September 22, 2017 in Huntsville, Alabama. Trump is visiting the southern US state to endorse Luther Strange, a candidate for US Senate in the state's Republican primary. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
President Trump said he believes NFL players who protest the national anthem should be fired and encouraged spectators to walk out in protest during games if they see any players kneeling.
"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He's fired!'" Trump said to cheers from the audience at a rally for Alabama Republican Senate candidate Luther Strange Friday night.
During the hour-long speech in Huntsville, Trump also took credit for the NFL's sagging TV ratings, and criticized the league's crackdown on hard hits saying that it's "not the same game." However, Trump repeated his assertion that the anthem protest was the main reason for the TV ratings decline.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell panned President's Trump's criticisms of NFL players kneeling in protest saying his comments were "divisive" and showed a "lack of respect" for the league and the players.
New NFL statement pic.twitter.com/XHPgVvPPfH
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) September 23, 2017
"There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we've experienced over the last month. Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities."
Colin Kaepernick, a former 49ers quarterback, created controversy last year after he began to kneel during the national anthem as protest of how people of color are treated in America. Kaepernick has yet to be signed by any team for this season, despite being a talented player.
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennet, Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch, and 49ers safety Eric Reid have have supported Kaepernick by participating in protests of their own.
Trump's comments sent a shockwave through the sports community, as players angrily reacted to the president's comments on Twitter with the hashtag #takeaknee trending on Twitter at one point.
The behavior of the President is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. If you do not Condemn this divisive Rhetoric you are Condoning it!!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 23, 2017
#Kaepernick we riding with you bro ✊🏾
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) September 23, 2017
cloth has more value than people. apparently. https://t.co/PZjeRA9861
— feeno (@ArianFoster) September 23, 2017
I can’t take anything our Celebrity in Chief says seriously. He’s a real life clown/troll 🤡
— George Iloka (@George_iloka) September 23, 2017
It's a shame and disgrace when you have the President of the US calling citizens of the country sons of a bitches.
— Bishop Sankey (@BishopSankey) September 23, 2017
For his part, Trump didn't seem to mind the attention. He followed up his tweets from this morning with two more saying players want the privilege of playing in the NFL shouldn't be allowed to disrespect the flag.
"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 our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!" Trump tweeted.
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