President Trump kicks a political football
President Trump apparently is not satisfied with butting heads with North Korean strongman Kim Jong Un. Or even Senate Democats.
Now he’s picking a fight with someone much more powerful. The NFL. You know, those guys who own Sunday afternoon. Or at least they used to.
But starting last year, National Football League players have increasingly been using their platform to make a statement about what is going on in this country, specifically race relations. As you might expect, that does not sit well with everybody.
This started last year with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the pre-game ritual of playing the National Anthem. Other players, including the Eagles Malcolm Jenkins, have taken to raising a fist.
Kaepernick, it should be noted, now finds himself on the outside looking in, out of a job. No team has decided to sign him.
The protests have continued into this season. Enter President Trump. Friday night, at a rally in Alabama, President Trump decided to wade into the controversy. And pour a little gas on the fire. The president made clear where he stands on the issue, urging NFL owners to fire any player taking part in such activity.
Just for good measure, he peppered his speech with a little locker room talk, referring to any player who would dare to so disrespect the flag and the anthem as a “son of a bitch.”
Well, there is something you don’t hear from the president of the United States every day.
At the same time, the president was picking a fight with NBA superstar Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, rescinding an invitation to the team to visit the White House after Curry hesitated to accept.
The blowback was quick – and harsh.
The president’s actions, which seem to cross the line of depriving citizens of their First Amendment rights, came under criticism from players, owners and league executives.
Then on Sunday players across the league took part in various forms of protest before the games.
At Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles and Giants were joined by team execs and owners in locking arms in a show of united support.
Eagles owner Jeff Lurie was on the sideline in a show of support for this players.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, an early Trump supporter, was harshly critical of the president and issued a statement saying he was disappointed in the ‘divisive’ comments and backing his players’ rights to express their opinions.
The president noticed, taking – of course – to Twitter to say that locking arms is OK, kneeling for the anthem is not. He tossed in one of his classic signoffs – “Bad Ratings.”
The drama showed no indication of cooling off Monday, with Trump again taking to Twitter to blast the players’ stance.
“The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!”
This brought still another response from the league, with NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart holding a conference call to defend players’ rights to peacefully protest what they view as racial inequality and police brutality.
Trump might actually be right about one thing. Ratings are down, and part of it likely is rooted in these pre-game protests.
Or maybe it’s because the games are too long. Or too boring. Or a general, growing disenchantment with the non-stop celebrations that now accompany every routine play.
On Sunday, fans were subjected to Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. crawling on all fours and then lifting his leg, seeming to imitate a dog urinating. Nice, huh? In effect, no one should expect the National Football League or multi-millionaire athletes to be any different than anyone else in our society. Yes, they make gobs of money for playing kids’ games.
That does not mean they forfeit any of their constitutional rights for that privilege.
Fans across the country were split on the issue, some booing their heroes as they took a knee during the anthem; others supporting the rights of players to voice their opinion.
All of them passionately hoping for a win by their favorite team.
Sports are a reflection of our society.
No one should expect protest and racial issues to be immune to those sentiments.
President Trump seems to disagree.
He might want to brush up on the Constitution. It’s not the first time he’s been reminded of citizens’ rights to free speech. Even when it collides with his own beliefs. And yes, even when it is made by millionaire football players.
Call it what it is – a political football.
On this one, Trump should punt.