Players unite with leaguewide anthem protests

PHILADELPHIA » Eagles players and coaches interlocked arms during the National Anthem Sunday preceding their game with the Giants.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman joined them.

Giants players and coaches did the same on their side of the field.

The action was an obvious response to President Donald Trump’s recent rant that if he was an NFL owner and his player protested the anthem, he’d order coaches to “Get that son of a b---off the field right now. Out. He’s fired!”

Previously the only Eagle who performed a weekly protest for the National Anthem was veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins.

Jenkins raised a fist during the singing of the anthem, as he did since last year. Teammate Chris Long put a hand on Jenkins’ back.

Jenkins and teammates urged Eagles fans to join their cause.

Before the game Jenkins tweeted: “More than ever we remain committed to advocacy 4 equality & social justice 4 all! @Eagles fans Join us in locking arms 4 unity in our city!”

Trump unwittingly united several NFL players with his caustic rhetoric at a political rally. Previously he rescinded an invitation for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors to visit the White House.

Around the NFL, owners and players refused to be bullied. The Steelers agreed to stay in their locker room during the playing of the National Anthem. The Dolphins were to wear black Tshirts reading “#IMWITHKAP.”

There were several harsh tweets ripping the president. Others were sensible including analyst Shannon Sharpe tweeting “Tell 45 to stick to politics. I go to politics to get away from sports.”

The NFL released a statement from Commissioner Roger Goodell: “The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture. There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we’ve experienced over the last month. 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.”

The Eagles put a statement from Jeff Lurie on their website: “We at the Philadelphia Eagles firmly believe that in this difficult time of division and conflict it is more important than ever for football to be a great unifier.”