NFL kneels against Trump
Professionals across the US kneel or lock arms for the anthem after example set in early game in London
DONALD TRUMP was last night facing a widespread backlash following his incendiary comments calling for a boycott of American football.
At NFL games across the US, and in London, players and owners united against the president, linking arms and kneeling during the na- tional anthem. Mr Trump criticised players for making similar protests to highlight shootings of black people by white police officers and called for them to be sacked. Across the Atlantic at Wembley yesterday, the NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars produced the day’s first protest with several players bending to one knee.
AMERICAN footballers staged a nationwide protest against Donald Trump yesterday after he called for fans to boycott the NFL if the national anthem was “disrespected”.
At games across the country, and beginning with the first NFL match of the day, at Wembley Stadium, players knelt, raised clenched fists, or linked arms in shows of unity – and one team refused to come out of the locker room.
The controversy began last year when Colin Kaepernick, then quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, refused to stand for The Star-spangled Banner before games in protest at shootings of black people by white police officers. A handful of other players had since followed suit.
Yesterday, Mr Trump tweeted: “If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our flag and country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!” His comments resulted in a rare moment of unified opposition to him as NFL players, who are predominantly black, were supported by predominantly white owners.
At Wembley, two dozen players from the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars knelt as the US national anthem played while others, including Shahid Khan, the Jaguars owner, stood and locked arms. Everyone on both teams stood for God Save the Queen.
Mr Khan, a billionaire born in Pakistan who also owns Fulham football club, was the first owner to stand alongside his players. A Republican who had donated to Mr Trump, he called the president’s comments “divisive” and said it was an “honour” to link arms with his team at Wembley.
Hours later, at NFL games across America, the protests were repeated as teams, including the Miami Dolphins, locked arms while some of their players knelt or raised their arms. The Oakland Raiders indicated they planned to sit or kneel during their evening fixture.
The backlash included Tom Brady, one of the country’s most recognisable quarterbacks, and a friend of Mr Trump’s, linking arms with his New England Patriots team-mates and placing his hand on his heart.
Robert Kraft, owner of the Patriots, and also a friend of Mr Trump’s, said: “I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the president. There is no greater unifier in this country than sport and, unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics.
“Our players are intelligent, thoughtful and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully effect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful.”
Meanwhile, the entire Pittsburgh Steelers team – aside from Alejandro Villanueva, an ex-army ranger – decided to stay in their dressing room for the anthem so players “don’t have to make a choice” on standing.
Mike Tomlin, the coach, said: “We’re not going to play politics. We’re football players, we’re football coaches. This is not to be disrespectful to the anthem, but to remove ourselves from this circumstance. People shouldn’t have to choose.”
Martha Firestone Ford, owner of the Detroit Lions, said: “Our game has long provided a powerful platform for dialogue and positive change in many communities throughout our nation.
“Negative and disrespectful comments suggesting otherwise are contrary to the founding principles of our country.”
And Rex Ryan, former coach of the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, said: “I’m p----- off, I’ll be honest with you. I’m reading these comments and it’s appalling to me, and I’m sure it’s appalling to almost any citizen in our country. It should be.” Mr Trump was cheered by supporters in Alabama on Friday as he said: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ‘Get that son of a b---- off the field right now. Out! He’s fired’.”
Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner said: “Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.”
Last night Mr Trump said: “This has nothing to do with race. I’ve never said anything about race. This has to do with respect for our country, and respect for our flag.” He added: “They’re making a lot of money. I’m not begrudging anything. I’m just saying they have to respect our flag, and they have to respect our country. And, by the way, most people agree with me.”