Trump causes storm by denouncing kneeling protests
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has denounced protests by NFL players in a two-day rant that targeted top professional athletes and brought swift condemnation from league executives and star players alike.
Some NFL players have kneeled or raised a fist to protest again police brutality against black people during the national anthem.
Mr Trump’s comments in a Friday night speech and a series of Saturday tweets drew sharp responses from some of the nation’s top athletes, with basketball star LeBron James calling the president a “bum”.
Mr Trump started by announcing that NBA champion Stephen Curry, the popular two-time MVP for the Golden State Warriors, would not be welcome at the White House for the commemorative visit traditionally made by championship teams: “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”
Later, Mr Trump reiterated what he said at a rally in Alabama the previous night – that NFL players who kneel for the national anthem should be fired, and called on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to tell them to stand.
“U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going!” James tweeted in a clear message to the president – a post that Twitter officials said was quickly shared many more times than any other he has sent.
“So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”
At Wembley Stadium in London, the day’s first game duly saw around 25 players from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens kneel during the playing of the US anthem.
No white players appeared to kneel but “many players, coaches and even the Jaguars’ owner Shahid Khan linked arms instead as they stood, showing unity for their black team-mates against Trump”.
Trump has also protested against rule changes to protect players from head injuries.