NFL Protests: Trump’s feud with athletes escalates

More NFL players kneel in protest during national anthem as Donald Trump urges fans to boycott games until they ‘stop disrespecting’.

Members of the New England Patriots kneel on the sidelines as the National Anthem is played before a game against the Houston Texans. Picture: AFP

More than 130 professional football players at games across America have kneeled or locked arms during the national anthem to protest Donald Trump’s call to sack those who disrespected the Star Spangled Banner.

The unprecedented protest at NFL games across the nation, attracted boos from many in the crowds and came after Mr Trump upped his war those who he said disrespected the national anthem.

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Mr Trump caused a storm over the weekend the he called on NFL teams to fire or suspend players who knelt, sat down or otherwise protested during the national anthem traditionally played before games.

Jacksonville Jaguar players show their protest during the National Anthem during the NFL International Series match between Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. Picture: Getty

But Mr Trump today stepped up his attack, tweeting before the kick-off for Sunday NFL games:

“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 US.”

Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American Flag --- we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017

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

The tweets added fire to the issue, prompting a widespread reaction from players and coaches across the NFL.

In Buffalo New York, the majority of the Denver Broncos team went down on one knee during the anthem, while a game played in London between the Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars saw at least a dozen players kneeling during the anthem.

In Chicago the Pittsburgh Steelers refused to come out of the tunnel before the game until the anthem was over.

Other players locked their arms in solidarity, including America’s most famous player, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

After watching the spreading reaction, Mr Trump tweeted “Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!”

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

A day earlier Mr Trump clashed with professional basketball stars, rescinding an invitation to the NBA Champion team Golden State Warriors to visit the White House after their star player Stephen Curry said he would not go because of Mr Trump.

The NFL controversy harks back to last year when a former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Collin Kaepernick refused to stand during the national anthem to protest police treatment of racial minorities.

The Pittsburgh Steelers bench area stays empty during the national anthem prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Picture: AFP

Since then there have been a handful of players who have dropped to their knee or otherwise protested during the anthems but there had been no broad movement to do so until Mr Trump’s comments.

The move is seen by some as clever politics from Mr Trump with the issue likely to play well for him amongst his conservative voter base.

Ravens linebacker Terry Suggs who went down on one knee in protest said “We stand with our brothers. They have the right and we knelt with them today. To protest, nonviolent protest, is as American as it gets, so we knelt with them today to let them know that we’re a unified front. There ain’t no dividing us. I guess we’re all son-of-a-bitches.”

In a series of tweets in recent hours Mr Trump said: “Courageous patriots have fought and died for our great American flag — we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICAN GREAT AGAIN.”

He then tweeted: “Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their country. NFL should change policy.”

Cameron Stewart is The Australian’s Washington correspondent and Sky News’ US contributor.