By now, you’ve probably heard that President Donald Trump had some things to say about NFL players. Specifically, those who exercise their Constitutional right of free speech by kneeling or otherwise standing in protest during the National Anthem.
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
Prior to those tweets there was this statement in a speech on Friday.
“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. He’s fired!’” the president said at a rally for Republican senator Luther Strange.
“You know, some owner is going to do that. He’s going to say, ‘That guy that disrespects our flag, he’s fired.’ And that owner, they don’t know it [but] they’ll be the most popular person in this country.”
There’s all kinds of ignorant in that statement, but we’re not even going to get into that.
The NFLPA has responded. The league has responded. Hell, even the squarest guy in the room, commissioner Roger Goodell, condemned Trump’s remarks.
“The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture,” commissioner Roger Goodell said. “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.”
There is now a growing movement for solidarity among all players on Sunday. Some people are calling for everyone to sit during the anthem. This seems to represent the overwhelming sentiment.
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/911404198809493504
Every single NFL player should be kneeling this Sunday. Every. Single. One. Don't let this POS "President" get away w/this shit in silence. https://t.co/PiIRASP9i6
— Andrew Steinthal (@schmooey) September 23, 2017
A number of players across the league have reacted to the comments. Receiver Davante Adams was the first member of the Green Bay Packers to do so.
We'll "stick to football" when we see progress. Our Nations leader can't even set a good example of how it looks to be a great American
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) September 23, 2017
Tight end Martellus Bennett, who has raised a fist during the anthem to support his brother Michael, who sits, also reacted.
https://twitter.com/MartysaurusRex/status/911689636094910465
https://twitter.com/MartysaurusRex/status/911690387089186817
https://twitter.com/MartysaurusRex/status/911690892184100866
The question now is, what will the Packers do on Sunday?
This is the most image-conscious organization in the NFL. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said that while he supports guys who protest, Bennett in particular, he will never sit or kneel for the National Anthem.
Of course, that was before this bullshit.
Interestingly, the squarest guy in the Packers’ organization — other than Mark Murphy — Ted Thompson, has expressed support for players who protest.
“This is a free country in my opinion, and free people can do what they like,” Thompson said earlier this year.
Coach Mike McCarthy has expressed a similar sentiment.
In all honesty, I hate talking about politics, but I believe in equality and I believe in the rights that have been bestowed upon us. All of us.
The president is out of line.
I doubt it will happen, but I would be proud if the Packers made a statement of solidarity on Sunday.
The fact of the matter is this. The president talks about respecting the flag and then disrespects a group of people for doing something they believe in.
This is America. Fuck that guy.