Upturn in Trump feud with NFL
OWNERS OBJECT: US PRESIDENT THROWS FUEL ON FIRE
Controversy deepens as more football players kneel to protest racism.
Washington
US President Donald Trump once again lashed out at the National Football League (NFL) yesterday, adding heat to brewing controversy over the right of players to hold symbolic protests.
His early-morning Twitter barbs came hours after the Dallas Cowboys, along with coaches and the team owner, collectively knelt before their game on Monday night in what they called a statement of equality and unity.
Trump has been locked in a days-long feud with NFL players, owners and league officials over the symbolic gesture, intended to draw attention to racial injustice.
“The booing at the NFL football game last night, when the entire Dallas team dropped to its knees, was loudest I have ever heard. Great anger,” Trump tweeted.
“Ratings for NFL football are way down except before game starts, when people tune in to see whether or not our country will be disrespected!” Some opposing fans from Arizona booed the Cowboys when they kneeled.
The US president did note that Dallas players stood when The Star Spangled Banner played.
“While Dallas dropped to its knees as a team, they all stood up for our National Anthem. Big progress being made – we all love our country!” Over the weekend, more than 150 professional players from across the US’s most popular sport took a defiant stance, kneeling, linking arms or raising clenched fists during the anthem.
Trump had ignited tumult by attacking players like Colin Kaepernick, who first kneeled throughout the US national anthem during last year’s American football season, as a “son of a bitch” who should be fired.
A number of owners and the NFL commissioner have issued statements objecting to Trump’s comments.
Nike, an NFL sponsor, expressed support for players: “Nike supports athletes and their right to freedom of expression on issues that are of great importance to our society,” it said. –