Trump says he won’t watch if players kneel
President Donald Trump said he won’t be watching the NFL or U.S. soccer this season if players kneel during the national anthem.
After two congressmen slammed U.S. Soccer, which oversees the U.S. men’s and women’s teams, for changing its policy requiring players to stand during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to matches, Trump took to Twitter to imply that he wouldn’t be watching, and said the same for the NFL.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida tweeted that he’d “rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that won’t stand for the National Anthem.” Trump retweeted a news story Saturday about Gaetz’ statement and added that he “won’t be watching much anymore!” Ohio congressman Jim Jordan tweeted his feelings, posting “Let me get this straight, UNITED STATES Soccer won’t stand for the UNITED STATES National Anthem?”
The president retweeted Jordan and added NFL to the discussion, “And it looks like the NFL is heading in that direction also, but not with me watching!”
U.S. Soccer released a statement last week saying they are repealing a policy that required players to stand during the national anthem.
In a statement on June 5 NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that the league was wrong for not listening to black players’ concerns and they now encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.
A few days ago, Trump questioned Goodell’s message to players for seemingly giving players a blessing of sorts to protest during the anthem if they so choose. Trump maintains that kneeling during the anthem is disrespectful to the flag and the country.
Trump has been critical of NFL players for kneeling since former 49ersquarterback Colin Kaepernick began the practice to protest police brutality and other social and racial injustices during the 2016 season. Trump made derogatory remarks at a 2017 rally about NFL players who kneel during the anthem, leading to widespread kneeling that season.
Some players have continued to kneel or perform some other type of demonstration since then, but protests during the anthem are expected to be far more widespread this season as protests are staged around the country after the death of George Floyd.
Also this weekend Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt posted to social media that they support kneeling protests. Responding to a fan on Instagram about whether he would kneel, Mayfield posted “pull your head out. I absolutely am.”