Trump backer tackles NFL protest row
Jerry Jones was one of seven NFL owners to donate $1m to Trump’s election bid. Here’s how he handled the anthem protest.
The Dallas Cowboys made a show of unity before their game against the Arizona Cardinals, but it wasn’t during the national anthem.
The Dallas players all knelt with owner Jerry Jones and his family before a giant American flag was unfurled. They rose arm-in-arm just before the singing of the anthem.
Jones has been a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump — he was one of seven NFL owners to donate $1 million to his election campaign last year — and it was unclear if his team would protest during the anthem, as teams across the NFL did on Sunday.
The Cowboys knelt near the 50-yard line.
Numerous boos rang out across University of Phoenix Stadium as the Cowboys knelt and continued as the players rose, still arm-in-arm, and stepped back to the sideline as the flag was unfurled across the field.
They remained connected as Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem.
The Arizona Cardinals had their own symbol of unity after a weekend of protests in the NFL, gathering along the goal line arm-in-arm during the national anthem. They were joined by owner Michael Bidwell, his family and general manager Steve Keim.
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says there were difficult conversations in the process of his team deciding to stay in the locker room during the national anthem Sunday.
That included supporters of President Trump, who put aside their personal beliefs to show unity as a team, Carroll says.
The coach says, “They had a choice to do what they wanted to do and they decided to stay with the team, and that was a hard decision for a few guys and I totally understand that.” Seattle’s players have been among the most outspoken in the NFL on social issues. Carroll says he’s not sure what if any form of protest the Seahawks will take when they return home Sunday to play
The head of major league baseball’s players’ union is endorsing athletes’ right to protest during the national anthem.
Baseball reaction
Tony Clark, a former All-Star first baseman who is executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, has released a statement two days after Oakland Athletics rookie catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first MLB player to kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Clark says, “We will always respect and support all of our players’ constitutional rights and freedom of expression.” Clark adds, “The hope inherent in the nonviolent protests we are seeing is of a collective coming together to address the divisive and culturally destructive challenges that exist ... and that we are now seeing on display at the highest levels.”
Hockey statement
National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman says he respects players’ views on political and social issues and “people are going to have to decide what makes them comfortable.” Several pro hockey players have commented President Donald Trump’s call for protesting NFL players to be fired. Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler tweeted Saturday about the First Amendment, writing: “these are literally the principles the US was founded on. Come on, Mr. President.”
In a phone interview with The Associated Press, Bettman says social issues “are a matter of individual belief and individual choice.”
After Trump uninvited the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, the Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins say they’ve accepted an invitation to go to the White House.
Player’s action sparks surge of support
The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed in the tunnel before their weekend game except for one player, army veteran Alejandro Villanueva, who stood outside with a hand over his heart.
National support of Villanueva has swelled in the past 24 hours. His No.78 jersey has become the No. 1 seller on NFLShop.com and Fanatics.com since Sunday’s game.
Villanueva, who was sent to Afghanistan three times, said he has no issue with players who protest during the anthem and said several had thanked him for his service.
“I will support all my teammates, and all my teammates and all my coaches have always supported me.”
NFL team owner speaks out
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he “strongly disagrees” with NFL players protesting during the national anthem.
The Republican, a former businessman, is part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. During Sunday’s game in Chicago, all but one of the Steelers stayed in the locker room during the anthem in protest of President Donald Trump’s criticism of NFL players.
Rauner says the protesters are “disrespecting” the country’s foundations and veterans. He says he “cannot and will not condone such behaviour.”
He adds that players have the freedom of expression and can “choose to be disrespectful.”
About 200 players nationwide knelt or sat during the anthem Sunday. Among other things, Trump has called for protesting players to be fired. Many players, owners and commissioners have chastised Trump for his remarks.
Veterans respond
The leaders of the nation’s two biggest veterans’ groups are criticising NFL player protests during the national anthem.
American Legion National Commander Denise Rohan chided what she called the politicisation of sports events. She says the playing of the national anthem should be a time of unity, and that professional athletes who fail to show respect are “misguided and ungrateful.” Keith Harman, the national commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, says the player protests don’t “wash with millions of military veterans who have and continue to wear real uniforms on real battlefields around the globe.” Their statements come after President Donald Trump attacked NFL players who kneel during the national anthem.
The American Legion and VFW together represent nearly four million military veterans.
AP
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