WASHINGTON, D.C. Sept. 25 (DPI) – The NFL got a new twist on its simmering player-protest controversy this weekend, as Donald Trump blasted the league’s small number of players who have been taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem.
In a speech Trump called the players “sons of bitches” who should be “fired” for their protests, remarks that only rallied the league, its owners and even many fans around the players. And yesterday, virtually all the players locked arms – and often took knees – during the national anthem. It was a rather powerful act of unification, and it showed that Trump’s remarks, in a back-handed fashion, could help bring people together – and transform a lingering PR problem for the NFL into a virtuous cause.
By Sunday night remarks across the internet were almost universally supportive of the league and its players. Wrote one: “Among all the groups Trump has tried to belittle, mock or insult, professional athletes are among the least likely to be intimidated. These guys, who have to be both mentally and physically tough to ply their trade, know a bully when they see one.”
At a time when Trump has been taking gratuitous Twitter shots at North Korea, Republicans, Democrats, overseas allies, among others, it seemed strange that he could not resist doing the same to the NFL’s players, nearly all of whom, until now, have steered clear of making political statements.
The New York Times received thousands of comments yesterday. Among the most popular:
What amazes me is that people are taking their cues on what is an appropriate or inappropriate display of patriotism from a four time draft dodger coward who has stated that he loves war.
I was proud to see all those players stand up to the attempted intimidation and bullying rants of Donald Trump. The man cares nothing about dealing with issues (and is obviously not even interested enough to learn what they are), uniting people and making the world a better place – he cares about himself and being the biggest and loudest bully in the room. It will take a long time to heal the wounds he has inflicted on the US.
Among all the groups Trump has tried to belittle, mock or insult, professional athletes are among the least likely to be intimidated. These guys, who have to be both mentally and physically tough to ply their trade, know a bully when they see one. And Trump, with his personal history as a draft dodger and avoider of any sort of public service, makes a particularly weak bully on this topic. Trump seems bent on poisoning every single aspect of American life. It never ends.