Days after President Donald Trump commented on NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, members of the league are responding.
During a rally in Alabama on Friday night, President Trump commented on the ongoing trend of NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem
"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you'd say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He's fired,'" said Trump.
By Saturday, the league and its players' union responded. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement saying in part, "Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players."
New NFL statement pic.twitter.com/XHPgVvPPfH
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) September 23, 2017
Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country.Tell them to stand!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
>> NFL commissioner, players' union angrily denounce Trump
DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, tweeted: "We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports."
We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports. pic.twitter.com/Ec3Bc4qt9h
— DeMaurice Smith (@DeSmithNFLPA) September 23, 2017
On Sunday, Patriots owner and CEO Robert Kraft released his own statement.
Statement from #Patriots Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft: pic.twitter.com/f5DJeK0Woj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 24, 2017
Other Patriots, as well as many other players and owners, have tweeted in response to the president's comments.
stand or kneel, that's a free choice, you won't see any division in this locker room over that, we respect each other too much.
— Nate Solder (@soldernate) September 24, 2017
Seahawks’ HC Pete Carroll becomes first NFL HC to weigh in on President Trump’s controversial comments: pic.twitter.com/cEHC7m3nRp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2017
Ppl said it was disrespectful not going to the White House..I’m sure they are quiet about us being called “sons of bitches” 🤦🏿♂️(D-Mac)
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) September 23, 2017
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie: pic.twitter.com/roVZZujbln
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2017
Statement from Bills Owners Terry and Kim Pegula: pic.twitter.com/0AV6GIKUx0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2017
Trump took to Twitter again Sunday morning, reiterating his stance, and even blaming a decline in ratings on players 'disrespecting our flag and country'
"If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend! NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S."
If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
...NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
This is not the first time Trump has raised the kneeling issue. Earlier this year he took credit for the fact that Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who played for the San Francisco 49ers last year, hadn't been signed by an NFL team for this season.
Cox Media Group