The NFL has riled up Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and he keeps firing shots.
It all started earlier this week when the NFL issued a statement criticizing the state for considering "Bathroom Bill" legislation that would mandate people use the bathroom based on their sex at birth, and has been criticized for targeting transgender people.
RELATED: The Texas governor rips the NFL and tells it to butt out
The NFL voiced opposition to the bill, and told the Associated Press that if it passes it will affect whether future Super Bowls are awarded in the state. Gov. Abbott responded by telling the NFL to know its place and butt out of the state's business — and he carried his war of words even further when he said:
"Imagine this ... I might just pass a bill here in the state of Texas mandating that all NFL players have to stand and put their hand on the heart when the National Anthem is played."
His spokesman quickly backtracked and called the governor's remarks "intentional hyperbole." The Dallas Morning News notes the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled it unconstitutional to force someone to pledge allegiance.
Abbott, a former Texas attorney general and state Supreme Court judge, clearly knows the law. But he also know he can continue to poke the bear to get his point across.
