Donald Trump targeted NFL players and the protests sparked by Colin Kaepernick on Friday night during a rally in Alabama in support of Alabama senator Luther Strange. During the divisive rally, Trump referred to Kaepernick and any other player who “disrespects our flag” as a “son of a bitch” and said that they should be fired. The response online was swift and angry, with several pointing out that the president shared a tougher stance on citizens silently protesting than he did for the Nazis that descended on Charlottesville.
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/911418854856970241
As Shaun King pointed out after the rally closed, the NFLPA and NFL both responded to the comments from the president and were joined by several current and former NFL players condemning Trump.
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/911415258539020293
Roger Goodell condemned the president’s comments by saying the NFL and its players are at their best when they “create a sense of unity” and called the president’s comments “divisive” and demonstrating a “lack of respect for the NFL, our great game, and all of our players”:
New NFL statement pic.twitter.com/XHPgVvPPfH
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) September 23, 2017
Prior to the NFL’s official statement, the NFL Players Association also condemned the president’s comments by standing by the players for their rights and safety:
“Whether or not [NFL commissioner] Roger [Goodell] and the owners will speak for themselves about their views on player rights and their commitment to player safety remains to be seen…
“This union, however, will never back down when it comes to protecting the constitutional rights of our players as citizens as well as their safety as men who compete in a game that exposes them to great risks,”
We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports. pic.twitter.com/Ec3Bc4qt9h
— DeMaurice Smith (@demauricesmith) September 23, 2017
Both statements were echoed by many former and current NFL players online, showing a sense of shock at the president’s comments and questioning his motivations:
Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh.
— Ebron85 (@Ebron85) September 23, 2017
He's not even good at that lol https://t.co/txqH0ACkQg
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) September 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/ChrisWarcraft/status/911406572474994688
They really let Trump do and say whatever TF he wants. Shit is crazy.
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) September 23, 2017
Trump stay in ur place… football have nothing to do wit u smh
— Zach Brown (@ZachBrown_55) September 23, 2017
Unbelievable what he just said!! https://t.co/K5H58E3h43
— FILFL (@CecilShortsIII) September 23, 2017
Praying for Mr. Trump and all the people of this country. 1 Timothy 2:1-8
— FILFL (@CecilShortsIII) September 23, 2017
🔥🔥🔥🔥✊🏾 https://t.co/cVE7aIJuQs
— Nolan Harrison III, MBA (@NolanHarrison74) September 23, 2017
What an emphatic response, where was this passion in response to Charlottesville…🤔 https://t.co/OkVZTdloXx
— max a mil (@MGarcia_76) September 23, 2017
It's a shame and disgrace when you have the President of the US calling citizens of the country sons of a bitches.
— Bishop Sankey (@BishopSankey) September 23, 2017
The @NFLPA @NFL better set the tone with this response!
It must embody the sentiment of what's been bottled up for years! https://t.co/0HjExuYgSQ
— Husain Abdullah (@HAbdullah39) September 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/_flight17_/status/911427760182190080
I can’t take anything our Celebrity in Chief says seriously. He’s a real life clown/troll 🤡
— George Iloka (@George_iloka) September 23, 2017
😳😳😳 yo this man is wildin’!!!!! https://t.co/KZOnGrKUd4
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 23, 2017
Others outside the NFL also joined in, including embattled ESPN personality Jemele Hill. Much of the response seems to focus on Trump’s comments about Charlottesville compared to his words about Kaepernick and other NFL protestors, while others were quick to share a history lesson on Trump’s relationship with the NFL over the years. This includes his disastrous involvement with the USFL and his attempt to purchase the Buffalo Bills in 2014:
Prediction: Not one NFL owner, not Roger Goodell will say one word about what he said about Kaep or other NFL players. Not. A. One. https://t.co/tBv3Q5FZHp
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 23, 2017
Let me be REAL clear: @realDonaldTrump just guaranteed that more heat is about to be unleashed on the @NFL. The players WILL respond! https://t.co/4FOQXRiTFz
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) September 23, 2017
Add “black NFL players exercising their First Amendment right” to the list of people Trump has criticized more harshly than Vladimir Putin.
— Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) September 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/davelozo/status/911415193569198081
If the #NFL makes no statement about what Trump said tonight, that will have been the #NFL's statement. Silence is a form of communication.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) September 23, 2017
Trump has a rather old fashioned view of the relationship between NFL players and owners. Like, the '50's. 1850's.
— Schooley (@Rschooley) September 23, 2017
The right to protest is critical to a functioning democracy and at the core of the First Amendment. #pleasereadtheconstitution https://t.co/vDkFBOIADT
— Sunny Hostin (@sunny) September 23, 2017
Trump on Kaepernick: son of a bitch!
Trump on Nazis: they're bad but like lol idkhttps://t.co/RUC2BggUAZ
— manny (@mannyfidel) September 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/poniewozik/status/911410243338489861
Can't wait to see Trump pallin' around with NFL owners after he said NFL employees who exercise their first amendment rights should be fired
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) September 23, 2017
Get that son of a bitch off the stage.
— Samuel Sinyangwe (@samswey) September 23, 2017
Black man uses his position to draw attention to a controversial, important issue.
White president calls him a son of a bitch.
— Philly M. Nerd (@PhillyMovieNerd) September 23, 2017
"Get that son of a bitch off the field"- black man protesting racial injustice
"Very fine people"- white people demanding racial injustice
— Jared Rizzi (@JaredRizzi) September 23, 2017
Trump did have his fair share of supporters, which has been typical throughout the election and the start of his administration. But it would seem that the most high-profile supporter for Trump’s latest controversy comes from his own family.
Love this: @realDonaldTrump on NFL players disrespecting our flag/anthem: "get that son of a bitch off the field right now – YOU'RE FIRED!"
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 23, 2017
(Via The Hill)
