U.S. President Donald Trump is clearly not a fan of NFL player's national anthem protests. At an event on Friday event, Trump discussed the protests as "disrespect", saying that he would love to see an NFL owner "get that son of a bitch off the field."
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Colin Kaepernick's mother responded to the comments, after her son helped lead the charge on national anthem protests last year:
https://twitter.com/nick_ramsey/status/911391835888726017
Trump: Wouldn’t you love one of the NFL owners when someone disrespects our flag, "get that son of a bitch off the field right now"
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) September 23, 2017
The full quote from Trump:
Wouldn't you love one of these NFL owners... when someone disrespects our flag say, "Get that son of a bitch off the field, right now, out, he's fired."
In reaction, NFL players have responded, and they're apparently not planning on stepping aside quietly:
#Kaepernick we riding with you bro ✊🏾
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) 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
I stand on the side of free, non-hateful speech. EVERY SINGLE TIME!
— Sage Rosenfels (@SageRosenfels18) September 23, 2017
"They're friends of mine, many of them."
Now we know why Kap ain't playin. #IStandWithKap https://t.co/Vzn5HSCS1K
— Husain Abdullah (@HAbdullah39) September 23, 2017
Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh.
— Ebron85 (@Ebron85) September 23, 2017
Definition of a clown! 🤡 pic.twitter.com/tF3r5Z27nq
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) September 23, 2017
Unbelievable what he just said!! https://t.co/K5H58E3h43
— FILFL (@CecilShortsIII) September 23, 2017
What an emphatic response, where was this passion in response to Charlottesville...🤔 https://t.co/OkVZTdloXx
— it’s just max. (@MGarcia_76) September 23, 2017
Smh! Gives more reason https://t.co/TyVCJgQK0L
— T.J. Ward (@BossWard43) September 23, 2017
Continue to use your voices and your platforms for racial equality and to stop injustices in our communities. This is bigger than us!!! ✊🏿
— Michael Thomas (@Michael31Thomas) September 23, 2017
Mr 45.... I just can't believe this guy is bold enough to say some of the things that he does.
— STEDMAN BAILEY SR (@iamSB3) September 23, 2017
— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshh) September 23, 2017
New NFL statement pic.twitter.com/XHPgVvPPfH
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) September 23, 2017
"The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture. 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 forced for good our clubs and players represent in our communities."
The live crowd applauded the comments from the President.
Trump also referenced NFL ratings, which are down so far this year, and blamed the drop on the protests negatively affecting the game.
The clear shot here seems to be taken at former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was the driving force behind the protests last year. Many players across many different teams and sports have since joined in on the protest during the anthem, generating a clear controversy between two sides of the country.
We'll see how many turn around and join the protests after these Trump's comments.
