After President Donald Trump called on NFL owners to fire national anthem protesters and later rescinded an invitation to the White House to Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, athletes and owners from both leagues responded strongly with statements and messages posted on social media Saturday.
“The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture,” NFL commissioner Goodell said in a statement released Saturday morning. “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.”
Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis released a statement Saturday night to reaffirm the team’s support of its players and its advocacy for inclusion, without mentioning Trump or his comments.
“Our players have shown a tremendous commitment to raising awareness for important societal issues by using their platform in a positive way,” Ellis said. “In addition to their hard work off the field, we have great admiration for their dedication to making our team the absolute best it can be. They’ve made incredible sacrifices to reach this level, and we recognize they give their all to our team and fans each and every day.
“As an organization, we could not be more proud, appreciative and grateful for our players. We’ll continue to support them and work together to advocate for values of respect, diversity and inclusion.”
DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, said that player protests during the national anthem “are protected speech and a freedom” and that no athlete “should be forced to become less than human when it comes to protecting their basic health and safety.”
“The peaceful demonstrations by some of our players have generated a wide array of responses,” Smith wrote. “Those opinions are protected speech and a freedom that has been paid for by the sacrifice of men and women throughout history. This expression of speech has generated thoughtful discussions in our locker rooms and in board rooms. However, the line that marks the balance between the rights of every citizen in our great country gets crossed when someone is told to just ‘shut up and play.’
“NFL players do incredible things to contribute to their communities. NFL players are a part of a legacy of athletes in all sports who throughout history chose to be informed about the issues that impact them and their communities. They chose — and still choose today — to do something about those issues rather than comfortably living in the bubble of sports. Their decision is no different from the one made by countless others who refused to let ‘what they do’ define or restrict ‘who they are’ as Americans.
“No man or woman should ever have to choose a job that forces them to surrender their rights. No worker nor any athlete, professional or not, should be forced to become less than human when it comes to protecting their basic health and safety. We understand that our job as a Union is not to win a popularity contest and it comes with a duty to protect the rights of our members. For that we make no apologies and never will.”
NFLPA president and current free agent Eric Winston added that he is “” by Trump’s remarks and that NFL players will continue “to unify people in our country’s toughest moments.”
“The comments were a slap in the face to the civil rights heroes of the past and present, soldiers who have spilled blood in countless wars to uphold the values of this great nation and American people of all races, ethnicities, gender and sexual orientations who seek civil progress as a means to make this country, and this world, a better place,” Winston wrote.
“The divisiveness we are all experiencing in this country has created gridlock in our political system, given voice to extreme, fringe beliefs and paralyzed our progress as a nation. Divisiveness breeds divisiveness, but NFL players have proven to unify people in our country’s toughest moments and we will continue to do so now.”
Speaking to a crowd during a rally for Alabama senatorial candidate Luther Strange, Trump said, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he’s fired. He’s fired!” Trump also claimed NFL ratings are down, “massively” mocked the league’s rules on hitting, which were installed for player safety, and encouraged fans to leave games when they see a player protest.
Saturday afternoon Trump doubled down on his comments : “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 our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!”
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)
Teresa Kaepernick, the mother of former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who led the movement of national anthem protests last year, responded to Trump’s remarks about the NFL, : “Guess that makes me a proud b****!”
Trump on Saturday also to the White House (though one was never reported to be formally extended) to the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team,” Trump tweeted. “Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”
The statement invoked heated responses from many NBA players, including LeBron James, : “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!”
The Warriors later released a statement that, in the wake of Trump’s comments, they will instead travel to Washington, D.C., in February “to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion — the values that we embrace as an organization.”
Statement from the Golden State Warriors:
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR)
ɲ Saturday afternoon that the North Carolina men’s basketball team, which won the 2017 NCAA Tournament, will not visit the White House, either.
Many other players from across sports — as well as team owners, coaches and NBA commissioner Adam Silver — chimed in Saturday. Their reactions:
"We could not be more proud, appreciative and grateful for our players."
A statement from President/CEO Joe Ellis:
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
Statement from Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft:
— New England Patriots (@Patriots)
Statement from Dee and Jimmy Haslam
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns)
Statement from Buffalo Bills Owners Terry and Kim Pegula.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills)
Statement from Owner on recent events:
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts)
A statement from Seahawks President Peter McLoughlin
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks)
A statement from owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, in response to Trump's comments on the anthem:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
Statement from Miami Dolphins Owner and Founder of Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) Stephen Ross.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins)
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles)
Packers president Mark Murphy weighs in:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
— Jed York (@JedYork)
Statement from Chargers Owner-Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos
READ:
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers)
Statement from Arthur Blank:
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons)
Statement from Titans Owner Amy Adams Strunk regarding recent events
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans)
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll)
Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the Golden State Warriors not being invited to visit the White House
— NBA (@NBA)
Steve Kerr on the tradition of visiting the White House and why Trump made possible visit "very difficult for us to have to reconcile."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater)
What an emphatic response, where was this passion in response to Charlottesville…🤔
— max a mil (@MGarcia_76)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZZh21-Aqkt/
Everyone should take a knee this Sunday and Monday.
— Owen Daniels (@owendaniels)
"Itap not about dividing. We as American people need to come together even stronger.” — responds to ’s comments.
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted)
A whose name alone creates division and anger. Whose words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly "Make America Great Again"
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant)
And I doubt he's man enough to call any of those players a son of a bitch to their face…
— Chris Paul (@CP3)
From the ’s Santiago Mejia, here is A’s rookie Bruce Maxwell becoming the first MLB player to take a knee for the anthem:
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser)
https://twitter.com/MartysaurusRex/status/911690387089186817
My mom is a beautiful lady she has never been a bitch
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72)
When I hear the anthem it's not the words that make me feel like an American. It's us as people for one moment feeling united standing
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56)
Together. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize we are kneeling because we need everyone's focus and eyes so that we can work for
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56)
Country
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56)
Wrong my grandfather was in the military. Served in the army Ww2. If he could see how the president of the country he fought for
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56)
Treated his people and people of color he would stand with his fist high or take a knee right along with the others fighting for a voice
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56)
Statement from Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin. Maybe my favorite response thus far.
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports)
The behavior of the President is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. If you do not Condemn this divisive Rhetoric you are Condoning it!!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25)
Richard Sherman wants to address how the President is dividing the country.
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune)
Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh.
— Ebron85 (@Ebron85)
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)
Trump stay in ur place… football have nothing to do wit u smh
— Zach Brown (@ZachBrown_55)
Smh! Gives more reason
— T.J. Ward (@BossWard43)
We'll "stick to football" when we see progress. Our Nations leader can't even set a good example of how it looks to be a great American
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams)
Only validates bringing social injustice to light, he kneeled hoping it'd bring attention to what he believed in… Has it not?
— Cam Jordan (@camjordan94)
cloth has more value than people. apparently.
— feeno (@ArianFoster)
A statement from owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, in response to Trump's comments on the anthem:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
I hope more players kneel
— Terrance Knighton (@Coach_Knighton)
Continue to use your voices and your platforms for racial equality and to stop injustices in our communities. This is bigger than us!!! ✊🏿
— Michael Thomas (@Michael31Thomas)
Tell 45 to stick to politics. I go to politics to get away from sports.🤔
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe)
Where was Trumps "son of a bitch" comments when the racists gathered in Charlottesville?! He spoke about them in a respectable way smh
— Jermon Bushrod (@j_bushrod7475)
So Trumpster is more mad at "son of a bi!@&" athletes than he was the neo-nazi's in Charlottesville. How am I not surprised?
— Lance Moore (@LanceMoore16)
we riding with you bro ✊🏾
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush)
— Connor Barwin (@ConnorBarwin98)
It is a sad day when the seeks to disregard and punish American citizens for peacefully exercising their constitutional rights.
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson)
It's a shame and disgrace when you have the President of the US calling citizens of the country sons of a bitches.
— Bishop Sankey (@BishopSankey)
https://twitter.com/_flight17_/status/911426312027475969
https://twitter.com/_flight17_/status/911427760182190080
