TRUMP’S TWIT HITS FAN
Donald again rips NFL players for kneeling during anthem, tells them to ‘be cool’
It's going to be a long NFL season.
Donald Trump continued his Twitter rants about NFL players protesting during the anthem Friday morning, as preseason games began Thursday night. “The NFL players are at it again — taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love. Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!”
The funny thing is, the NFL and NFLPA still haven't come to any agreements about what they're going to do about the anthem policy. So in actuality, the President is, as usual, fussing for no reason.
"The NFL has engaged in constructive discussions with the NFL Players Association regarding the anthem and issues of equality and social justice that are of concern to many Americans," read a statement from the NFL that was released Thursday night. "While those discussions continue, the NFL has agreed to delay implementing or enforcing any club work rules that could result in players being disciplined for their conduct during the performance of the anthem.
"Meanwhile, there has been no change in the NFL's policy regarding the national anthem. The anthem will continue to be played before every game, and all player and non-player personnel on the field at that time are expected to stand during the presentation of the flag and performance of the anthem. Personnel who do not wish to do can choose to remain in the
locker room."
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson both took a knee Thursday night before their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, becoming the first players to kneel in peaceful protest before the 2018 season. Stills has been protesting since 2016, while Thursday was the first time for Wilson.
“When I'm on a knee, most of the time I'm praying,” said Stills after the game. “And thank God for having Albert next to me. Being a part of this protest hasn't been easy. I thought I was going to be by myself out there. Today I had an angel with me with Albert being out there. I'm grateful he sees what's happening, and he wants to do something about it as well.''
The irony of Stills and Wilson being the first two players to kneel is that it was the Dolphins who came up with a potential plan to suspend players up to four games this season if they didn't follow the new anthem policy that was announced at the NFL Owner's Meetings this past Spring. Due to the outrage the Dolphins policy caused, it led to where we are today, as the NFL and NFLPA are still in discussions about how to handle the situation.
“A good first step as a league would be to acknowledging what they're doing to Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid," Stills said. "You can't say as a league you support the players and the protests, but blackball the players that initially started the protests."
After the game, Stills told reporters that he has the support of his head coach, Adam Gase, and expects his protests to continue into the regular season because it would take “a lot” for him to stop demonstrating.
And Kaepernick, the man who started protesting police brutality by kneeling for the anthem and has been blackballed from the league for his actions, took to twitter in support of Stills and Wilson.
“My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee. Albert Wilson @iThinkIsee12 joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers! @footcandles #imwithkap #imwithereid #takeaknee ”
Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn raised a fist, while others players choose to remain in the locker room, including Jalen Ramsey, Telvin Smith, Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Duane Brown, Quinton Jefferson, and Branden Jackson from the Seattle Seahawks. "We all met, and everyone was clear on my decision. Everyone understands and supports it," Brown said. "We all have different realities in this country, and they understand mine and my perspective. We're fine. We're all on good terms."
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett walked on the field as the anthem began playing, while teammates Malcolm Jenkins and De'Vante Bausby each raised their fist.
"As a black man in this world, I've got an obligation to raise awareness,'' Quinn told reporters. "If no one wants to live in unity, that's why we're in the situation we're in.'' Again, it's going to be a long season. Because these players aren't going to stop until they're heard because people like Trump refuse to listen.