NFL union hits back at Trump over players right to protest

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill




BY BRANDON CARTER - 09/23/17 07:46 AM EDT

The head of the NFL Players Association, the union representing professional football players, said Saturday that the union “will never back down” from supporting players' right to protest.

The statement follows President Trump saying Friday night that people should “pick up and leave” NFL games if players kneel as a form of protest during the national anthem.

“Whether or not [NFL commissioner] Roger [Goodell] and the owners will speak for themselves about their views on player rights and their commitment to player safety remains to be seen,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said Link to tweet
" target="_blank">in a statement.

“This union, however, will never back down when it comes to protecting the constitutional rights of our players as citizens as well as their safety as men who compete in a game that exposes them to great risks," he continued.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/352023-nfl-players-union-head-we-will-never-back-down-from-protecting

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ESPN's Jemele Hill: Trump's NFL remarks will only make more players protest

BY BRANDON CARTER - 09/23/17 08:52 AM EDT

ESPN anchor Jemele Hill said Saturday that President Trump encouraging NFL owners to fire players for kneeling during the national anthem will only cause more protests.

“Just so we're clear: the president's comments will only incite more player protests, not quell them,” Hill said.

Link to tweet

Trump told a crowd at a rally for Alabama Senate candidate Luther Strange (R) Friday night that NFL players will stop kneeling if they would leave games.

"When people like yourselves turn on television and you see those people taking the knee when they are playing our great national anthem – the only thing you could do better is if you see it, even if it's one player, leave the stadium," Trump said. "I guarantee things will stop." Trump also said NFL owners should fire players if they refuse to stand during the national anthem.

more
http://thehill.com/homenews/media/352026-espns-jemele-hill-trumps-nfl-remarks-will-only-make-more-players-protest

[RKP5637]

1. K&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[forgotmylogin]

12. Making a kerfuffle is giving the protest more attention than it would have gotten...

...than if they'd just quietly let the players do it and said nothing.

Thanks Orange Dotard!

[RKP5637]

13. Trump, always has to stick his fat pig face into everything, ranting and screaming. What a disgrace!

[forgotmylogin]

14. Imagine if the Dotard had half a brain and some tact.

There would have been so many things he would have slipped under the radar if he hadn't been all 'Look at me! Look at what I'm doing! I'm important!'

[RKP5637]

15. The guy has some very deep and significant insecurities that he has to be constantly

praised. He's a walking mental ward!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. Solidarity. Great statement.

[RKP5637]

3. Frankly, I would like to see President Dotard "pick up and leave." It would make for a far better

country.

[Scarsdale]

4. He could not

get down on one knee, he would need help getting back up!!

[RKP5637]

5. Now you got me laughing. The fool, scrambling to get back up. n/t

[yallerdawg]

6. He also critiqued refs for flagging excessively violent hits.

Said this isn't the football we used to know.

As a former failed owner of a football team and league (USFL), it's the essence of his character (the boss) that even as the "leader of the free world" he would express absolutely no respect and compassion for the players (the workers).

This "son of a bitch" should not only NOT be in the White House, it is getting hard to identify him as a member of the human race.

[ascap_scab]

9. Let's not bring Trump's mother into this...

...as it was his father who was the true asshole responsible for procreating this fleshbag of shit.

[yallerdawg]

11. I'm just quoting the president and role model...

who now has his words bleeped on national news channels.

This guy "knows Alabama" - but uses words that offend everyone down here?

Surely I can repeat what the President of the United States said.

[Paladin]

7. I hope the kneeling spreads like wildfire as a result of this. (nt)

[modrepub]

8. Let me get this straight

Carrying confederate flags and shouting "Jews will not replace us" = Free Speech (Good People)

Kneeling during the National Anthem = Fireable Offense (Horrible Losers)



Got it.

[BlueJac]

10. Everyone take a knee this Sunday...

in support for Constitutionals rights that this fake President promised to protect! Fuck the orange punk!

[blaze]

16. I love this idea so much!!!!

Wouldn't that be just the greatest response?

[Srkdqltr]

17. I have never understood

why kneeling .. one knee or two ... is disrespectful.
In church kneeling or genuflecting (one knee) is considered respectful.
Probably originally a sign of ultimate respect and submission.
How in the world can it be disrespectful in football or anyplace else?

[truthisfreedom]

18. Shit-stirrer hates us for our freedoms

[Stuart G]

19. k and r...nt

[jcmaine72]

20. Generally speaking, I loathe football and the culture of privilege, violence and misogyny that

surrounds it.

However, I support the NFL players on this. I can't promise I'll tune in to help offset their sagging ratings, but they have my moral support nonetheless.