NFL Players Blitz Trump With Game Day Protests

Baltimore Ravens strong safety Tony Jefferson (23) and Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Matt Judon, left, kneel down with teammates during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Baltimore Ravens strong safety Tony Jefferson (23) and Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Matt Judon, left, kneel down with teammates during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game agains... Baltimore Ravens strong safety Tony Jefferson (23) and Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Matt Judon, left, kneel down with teammates during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

NFL players used the national anthem to show their defiance to President Donald Trump’s criticism, with at least 100 players kneeling or sitting in protest and one team staying in the locker room.

Most teams in the early afternoon games locked arms in solidarity. At least three team owners joined their players.

More than 100 players sat or knelt, the form of protest started last season by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick is now a free agent, and supporters believe teams have avoided signing him because of his protest.

The Pittsburgh Steelers remained in the locker room as the national anthem played before their game with the Chicago Bears. Coach Mike Tomlin stood by himself on the sideline.

How each team would observe the national anthem emerged as the center of attention on this NFL Sunday in the wake of Trump’s critical remarks toward players who don’t stand for the anthem.

Tomlin had said before the game that Pittsburgh’s players would remain in the locker room and that “we’re not going to let divisive times or divisive individuals affect our agenda.” Tomlin added that the Steelers made this choice “not to be disrespectful to the anthem but to remove ourselves from this circumstance. People shouldn’t have to choose.”

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. Hair Furor is losing on healthcare, tax reform and likely to lose to Bannon on Tuesday… Mueller is plowing ahead with the #Russia investigation and the noose is tightening… so it’s distraction time.

    And his aides on the Sunday circuit using the tired trope of “disrespecting the military” is just SAD!

  2. Avatar for ghost ghost says:

    Dear Leader is going to be pissed that the big men are defying him, and even more pissed that the rich owners are supporting the players.

    Texans players and coaches and the owners all linked arms. Classy.

    Haven’t heard any reports of fans walking out of games. Poor Donny.

  3. Bruce Levell on Alex Witt was step-and-fetch-it cringe-worthy… and he got eaten alive by the other commentators.

  4. “NFL players used the national anthem to show their defiance to President Donald Trump’s criticism, with at least 100 players kneeling or sitting in protest and one team staying in the locker room”

    Any intelligent person would have known this would be the reaction.

    But Trump…

    'Nuff said

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

421 more replies

Participants

Avatar for playitagainrowlf Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for marby Avatar for mondfledermaus Avatar for blandsten Avatar for trnc Avatar for teenlaqueefa Avatar for sandyh Avatar for chelsea530 Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for sonsofares Avatar for lastroth Avatar for sanni Avatar for darrtown Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for tena Avatar for jinnj Avatar for antisachetdethe Avatar for jtx Avatar for tiowally Avatar for grack Avatar for socalista Avatar for dannysgrandma Avatar for 19tibekius6

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: