Trump Doubles, Triples Down on Criticism of NFL Protests
As the rest of his Steeler teammates stayed in the locker room, offensive tackle and former Army Ranger Alejandro Vllanueva stood with his hand over his heart.
President Donald Trump isn’t punting on the issue of NFL protests. In a set of tweets early Sunday morning, Trump again called on the league to “Fire or suspend” players who dishonor the country by taking a knee during the National Anthem. He also suggested fans to pressure owners by staying away until “players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country.”
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
In widespread demonstrations across the league Sunday, scores of players “took a knee” during the National Anthem. This included two dozen players from the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars, who were playing a game in London. In other words, they were protesting their country while on foreign soil.
Many teams did not even come out of their locker rooms for the National Anthem. This included the Pittsburgh Steelers, but for offensive tackle — and former Army Ranger — Alejandro Villanueva. He stood in the tunnel on the edge of the field, his right hand over his heart.
Alejandro Villanueva was the only Steeler to come out for the National Anthem, standing in the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/L4EtxRQSvA
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 24, 2017
Like lineman hitting a tackling dummy President Trump again hit the protests Sunday afternoon, “It’s disrespectful to our flag and our country,” he told reporters. He also insisted his ire “has nothing to do with race.”
Trump Throws a Bomb
Trump first sent the sports world and media into a tizzy Friday night during a rally in football mecca Alabama when he said, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ‘Get that (SOB) off the field right now. Out! He’s fired.’ Total disrespect of our heritage, a total disrespect of everything that we stand for. Everything that we stand for.”
The crowd roared, but reaction was swift. CNN predictably suggested the comments were proof of Trump’s racism. (After all it was an “overwhelmingly white crowd.”)
NFL Commissioner Roger Godell said, “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.” What NFL players helping out in their communities, or the sport itself, has to do with select players while in uniform protesting the United States, he did not say.
Several NFL owners also spoke out. Most notably, San Francisco 49er owner Jed York. “The callous and offensive comments made by the president are contradictory to what this great country stands for,” York said. “Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens in order to spark conversation and action to address social injustice. We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world.”
Sounds good, but Jed York is the owner who did not re-sign Colin Kaepernick, the cop-hating QB who ignited the protests last season when he started taking a knee during the National Anthem. So much for “support.”
Kaepernick’s continued inability to find a job in the NFL led to protests outside Goddell’s office. It’s worth noting Kaepernick was set to be offered a contract with the Baltimore Ravens until his girlfriend sent out a tweet, in effect, slurring Ravens legend Ray Lewis as an Uncle Tom.
Meanwhile, the NFL’s ratings have taken a nose-dive since the protests started. Last season’s ratings were down 8% and a J.D Powers survey determined the protests were a main reason. Forbes reports ratings and attendance both have continued to drop this season, as have the stocks of media companies that broadcast NFL games. The rest of the stock market is at an all-time high.
The question in wake of the players’ actions: Will continued protests lead to a win for the sport, the league, the broadcasters, the fans or the nation? Highlights tonight on Sports Center.
Update: NASCAR owners are warning their drivers and crews that any protests during the National Anthem will get them fired.
