President Donald Trump recognizes that people have the freedom of choice although he is not tolerant when it comes to the NFL and the national anthem.

Trump said the NFL players who take a knee during “The Star-Spangled Banner” demonstrate “a total disrespect for everything we stand for.”
On Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, he challenged team owners to fire players who take part in this behavior and have

those sons of b*tches thrown off the field.

This phrase used by the president evoked sports figures to unite in stronger protest.

He told spectators, if they see someone disrespecting the flag, pack up and leave the stadium. Then, things will stop.

In August 2016, Colin Kaepernick took a knee, during the national anthem, in protest of a

country that oppresses black people and people of color.

Since white supremacists gathered to protest the removal of the Robert E. Lee confederate statue, in Charlottesville, Virginia, other NFL players have said they will follow Kaepernick’s example.
Michael Bennett told CNN:

I can’t stand for the national anthem. I can’t stand right now. I’m not going to be standing until I see the equality and freedom.

Stevie Wonder took both knees, Saturday night, before performing at a New York music festival. He said he was taking

Both knees in prayer for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe. Amen.

He also spoke about interfering in bigotry and hate, criticized sexism, and encouraged others to do the same.

The first MLB baseball player to take a knee during the nation anthem, Saturday, was Bruce Maxwell, catcher for the Oakland As.

Sunday morning, Trump tweeted:

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!

Every NFL player took part in the protest Sunday, during the national anthem, before the Baltimore Ravens played the Jacksonville Jaguars, in London. Among them was Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, Mike Wallace, C.J. Mosley, Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, Leonard Fournette and many more. Those who did not kneel, protested by locking arms, including Jaguars owner, Shad Khan and Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

Khan donated $1 million for Trump’s inauguration, but that did not matter today, as he stood aligned in agreement with his team. This is the first time a league owner has visibly protested the national anthem, according to The Washington Post.

One NFL player for the Ravens stood alone, however, he was in prayer while “The Star-Spangled Banner” played.

The NFL Network tweeted a picture of the teams locking arms and a message of unity.

All players stood in honor during the British anthem, “God Save the Queen.”

To make it clear, NFL players who previously knelt during the national anthem were not doing so in protest of the American flag. They were protesting police brutality and social injustice. They were showing their support for the young African-Americans who had been needlessly shot or beaten in the streets by law enforcement.

Sunday, NFL players, coaches, and owners united against Trump’s comments toward kneeling protesters.

Headliners Daily just received word, the Pittsburgh Steelers are refusing to exit the locker room until the national anthem is over. This report comes from Chicago.

By Jeanette Smith

Sources:

CNN: Trump: NFL owners should fire players who protest the national anthem
CNN: NFL Sunday kicks off amid beef between players, Trump
The Washington Post: Jaguars owner joins players during anthem protest in first game since Trump’s NFL remarks

Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Matt McGee’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License