Fans Are Calling Mike Pence's NFL Protest A Glorified PR Stunt

The reaction to Mike Pence’s “protest” against protests during Sunday’s Colts / 49er’s game was swift and critical. The choice of opponent, the timing of his exit, the tweets and official statements pointing it out all smelled of something that was more of a PR stunt than any actual outrage according to many online.

We were proud to stand – with all our @Colts – for our soldiers, our flag, and our National Anthem 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mkZiKMkPDD

— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017

As had been pointed out soon after Pence made his announcement online and left the stadium, the stunt by the vice president forced fans to go through extra security and likely cost the team and fans extra so he could likely help the administration continue to make criticism against the NFL and keep that discussion moving. And if you look at the pro-Pence reactions online, you’ll see that it is working despite evidence that it was planned before the VP entered the stadium.

FLAG: Was Pence leaving Colts game a political stunt? Reporters were told to stay in van bc "there may be an early departure from the game."

— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) October 8, 2017

49ers have been protesting for over a year. This was calculated. https://t.co/KlXsONVATL

— Melissa Jacobs 💙 (@thefootballgirl) October 8, 2017

Most of the reactions were not positive, though, and felt that Pence looked foolish. A mixture of jokes, attacks, and outright criticism followed that questioned why Pence would be offended by this and make a “statement” but wouldn’t stand against the many abhorrent things the president has done and said during his tenure, including his apparent support of literal Nazis and his comments following the release of the Access Hollywood tape.

https://twitter.com/molly_knight/status/917077343184629760

free speech advocate Mike Pence pic.twitter.com/PhzWEywdV6

— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) October 8, 2017

So telling that conservatives are rejecting NFL over peaceful protest, not CTE. https://t.co/12qsCUrjS8

— Matt Wilstein (@mattwilstein) October 8, 2017

So Mike Pence attended an event…just to tweet about leaving it? pic.twitter.com/KoBgeDMLIj

— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) October 8, 2017

https://twitter.com/TheRedManScott/status/917085274018004992

https://twitter.com/raralaing/status/917085275821625345

To be fair, I think Mike Pence leaving anything is a great way to respect the flag.

— Aparna Nancherla 🇵🇸 (@aparnapkin) October 8, 2017

https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/917076836391313409

*Mike Pence's wife realizing all she has to do is kneel and he'll leave

— Mark Agee (@MarkAgee) October 8, 2017

Mike Pence has run away from a Hamilton showing and an NFL game, and once said he was victimized by watching Mulan. Maybe try PBS, big guy

— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) October 8, 2017

https://twitter.com/alex_kirshner/status/917078970901856257

it is a well-known fact that Mike Pence only ever poops on the first day of each fiscal quarter

— Ashley Feinberg (ashleyfeinberg.bsky.social) (@ashleyfeinberg) October 8, 2017

Looks like Mike Pence had one hell of a Sunday! In no way shape or form did he see that coming and plan that out! pic.twitter.com/3nWzD2Rkzj

— KFC (@KFCBarstool) October 8, 2017

Mike Pence leaving the Colts game all seems very spontaneous and not preplanned with a prewritten statement at all. pic.twitter.com/kgtXCPRCqh

— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) October 8, 2017

https://twitter.com/SavageBoston/status/917083045693480960

https://twitter.com/kashanacauley/status/917083126723153920

How many tax dollars went to security at the Colts game today so Mike Pence could walk out when players did what he knew they'd do?

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) October 8, 2017

Mike Pence disrespects America every day he stands by this sexual predator, white supramicist, Russian puppet, unqualified joke of a POTUS. https://t.co/iU00tHAgjX

— Adam Best (@adamcbest) October 8, 2017

And if it wasn’t clear, there is a tweet that can be used here for comparison’s sake. It was precisely one year ago that headlines about Pence being unable to “defend” the president’s comments in the Access Hollywood video were making the rounds, alongside rumors that he was looking to jump from the GOP ticket. What a difference a year makes.