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