
Over the weekend, rather than issue a statement about the on-going destruction caused by Hurricane Maria to Puerto Rico or work toward a diplomatic solution to threats of nuclear war from North Korea, President Trump took the time to criticize former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and private citizen Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the National Anthem as a silent protest against police brutality against people of color in America, indirectly calling him a "son of a bitch" at a rally. Trump also denigrated the NFL in general for working toward minimizing head injuries among players, encouraging fans to boycott games, and also uninvited Golden State Warriors' star player Steph Curry from the White House.
Trump wishes NFL owners would tell anthem protesters "get that son of a bitch off the field right now" pic.twitter.com/gq4EH3lNoY
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 23, 2017
Though the response to Trump's comments were inevitably swift and numerous, they were perhaps not what the commander-in-chief of the armed forces was expecting. From Lebron James to WWII vets, people called out the president's remarks:
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
And I doubt he's man enough to call any of those players a son of a bitch to their face...
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
I support the NBA World Champion Golden State Warriors, their owners, players and fans.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 23, 2017
Still wondering how this guy is running our country.... 🤔🤔🤔
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) September 23, 2017
pic.twitter.com/Xumc820Yj3
— Connor Barwin (@ConnorBarwin98) September 23, 2017
If you think I joined the #USNavy so NFL football players can kneel in protest of racial injustice, you would be correct. #TakeTheKnee
— Jeff Dyche (@dychejs) September 24, 2017
I wish that all of the mothers of those kneeling NFL players would show up at the WH and ask Trump, "Who you calling a bitch?"
— Official Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) September 24, 2017
Since “disrespecting the flag" is still the narrative being used, this courtesy of the US Flag Code Chapter 10: Respect for flag
A Thread
— HennyWise (@koopa_kinte) September 23, 2017
My grandpa is a 97 year-old WWII vet & Missouri farmer who wanted to join w/ those who #TakeaKnee: "those kids have every right to protest." pic.twitter.com/LurCj7SLUB
— Brennan Gilmore (@brennanmgilmore) September 24, 2017
Trump doubled down on his comments on Saturday via his favorite medium.
If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
...our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
He also formally uninvited Steph Curry, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, to the White House.
Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
To which the Golden State Warriors announced that the whole team would not be visiting the White House:
JUST IN: Golden State Warriors announce they will not visit the White House: "President Trump has made it clear that we are not invited" pic.twitter.com/E56vo6aFIs
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 23, 2017
This spawned its own slew of memes, tweets and takes, and led to the Mayor of Washington D.C. to extend a personal invite to the Warriors:
#DCvalues pic.twitter.com/kQ8CrJ28el
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) September 23, 2017
Given that there were several major NFL games yesterday, anticipation of who would protest and how was high. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement calling Trump's statements divisive:
"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."
NFL team owners weighed in as well, with most releasing strong statements against Trump, who once tried to buy the Buffalo Bills but was denied by the other owners.
The New York Giants owners called Trump's comments "inappropriate." Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said the country needed "unifying leadership right now, not more divisiveness." He added, "I know our players who kneeled for the anthem and these are smart young men of character who want to make our world a better place for everyone." 49ers owner Jed York said the comments were "callous and offensive" and "contradictory to what this great country stands for." Even the New England Patriots' owner Robert Kraft, a friend of Trump's, said he was "deeply disappointed" by the tone of Trump's comments.
Statement from #Patriots Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft: pic.twitter.com/f5DJeK0Woj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 24, 2017
During Sunday's games, around 150 NFL players took a knee or took other forms of protest in solidarity with Kaepernick. Three teams decided to remain in the locker room until the anthem was finished, and many players - most of whom were black - knelt, sat or raised a fist in the air during the anthem.
Video: Ravens and Jaguars players take a knee during national anthem at NFL game in England. #TakeAKnee #TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/890K1i7WBz
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 24, 2017
Among those who remained standing while the anthem played, many locked arms in solidarity with their teammates. According to Vice, while black men make up six percent of the American population, they account for nearly 70 percent of players in the NFL.
Surreal scene here in Nashville as entire #Seahawks, Titans teams including coaches, staff, all players skip national anthem pic.twitter.com/UCdANOKdAV
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 24, 2017
During Chiefs-Chargers, Travis Kelce is maybe the most prominent white player to kneel today. Several Chargers players kneeling, too. pic.twitter.com/nnmJIGjmMA
— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) September 24, 2017
Audible booing at Ford Field in Detroit at start of anthem, likely toward handful of players kneeling. Singer ends anthem on one knee. Wow.
— Tim Alberta (@TimAlberta) September 24, 2017
The national anthem in Detroit ended on one knee pic.twitter.com/7Fi3wSjHSb
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 24, 2017
Odell Beckham raises his fist after scoring for a second time today pic.twitter.com/dy2G3mgEul
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 24, 2017
Former NFL quarterback and celebrated sports analyst Terry Bradshaw spoke out during Sunday's broadcast on Fox:
.@terrybradshaw: "Not sure if our president understands those rights, that every American has the right to speak out and also to protest" pic.twitter.com/PgTntwbLP9
— Tom Namako (@TomNamako) September 24, 2017
Trump, unfortunately, also spoke out on Sunday, attempting to dictate which forms of silent, peaceful protests are acceptable for private American citizens:
Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
Meanwhile, Trump still hasn't issued a statement about Puerto Rico, which still lacks electricity on many parts of the island.
Image via Getty