President Donald Trump is not happy with the continuing national anthem protests in the National Football League.
During the kickoff to the league’s preseason, multiple players protested the national anthem.
“The NFL players are at it again — taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the national anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their ‘outrage’ at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love,” wrote Trump on Twitter on Friday morning.
The NFL players are at it again – taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
…..Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
He continued, “Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest.”
He added, “Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your national anthem or be suspended without pay!”
The National Football League set up new rules this year that require players to stand on the field while the national anthem plays. Yet the rule change has clearly done very little — and fans are not crystal clear on what punishments the league will dole out to the players who break the new rules.
Protests are likely to continue, given all this, and the heated discussions about the intersection of sports and politics is only going to get worse from here.
National anthem protests already led to a dip in ticket sales and television viewers for the NFL, so the league may be wise to listen to the president’s advice on this issue.
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