About 36 hours after the U.S. president referred to former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick as a “son of a bitch” for kneeling during the national anthem, Donald Trump on Sunday morning continued his attacks on the league and the players who protest.
For the third straight day, Trump blasted the NFL and its employees.
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
Those tweets continued the theme of his thoughts from Saturday.
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
It’s true: The NFL’s TV ratings were down in 2016. As ESPN’s Darren Rovell notes, ratings were about 8 percent lower last year. But the leaguewide attendance increased in 2016 and reportedly was the third-highest in NFL history and the highest in nine years.
Though there is evidence Kaepernick’s silent protests impacted some people’s decision whether to watch football, it’s certainly not the only reason. The general trend of cord-cutting and the fact that so much airtime was taken up by the presidential election also might have played a role.
Either way, Trump’s tweets made quite an impact on Saturday and Sunday, as players, NFL teams, and the players’ union denounced his words.
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) September 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/JOEL9ONE/status/911725569808699393
Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh.
— Ebron85 (@Ebron85) September 23, 2017
My statement: pic.twitter.com/xxX6LRI92f
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) September 23, 2017
Wearing an @NFL uniform will not come at the expense of our first amendment right to peacefully protest as citizens. https://t.co/D7jSpssrvN pic.twitter.com/HkxvgCTViy
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) September 23, 2017
And though Trump has plenty of allies among NFL owners, at least a dozen teams issued statements in support of their players, including New England’s Robert Kraft, a longtime friend of Trump who donated $1 million to the inauguration last year.
Statement from #Patriots Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft: pic.twitter.com/f5DJeK0Woj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 24, 2017
Now the question remains: How will NFL players respond when national anthems are played across the country on Sunday afternoon?
Update 8:43am CT: With the Ravens and Jaguars kicking off Week 3 in London on Sunday morning, we’ve already seen how two NFL teams have responded to Trump’s criticism. Both teams locked arms during the national anthem, and multiple Baltimore players took a knee.
During national anthem in London, Jaguars players locked arms. Some Ravens players knelt. pic.twitter.com/C8DdS1w2Tg
— Josh Katzowitz (@joshkatzowitz) September 24, 2017
This is Shad Khan, the Jaguars owner who donated $1 million to Trump locking arms with his players during the anthem. pic.twitter.com/T51H1nUDnx
— Josh Katzowitz (@joshkatzowitz) September 24, 2017
One more of the Jaguars locking arms during the anthem. pic.twitter.com/9eqJc2DBuy
— Josh Katzowitz (@joshkatzowitz) September 24, 2017