At Friday night’s rally for incumbent Alabama GOP Senator Luther Strange, President Trump made some remarks that have come back to haunt him. Speaking of NFL players who kneel instead of standing during the National Anthem, Trump remarked:
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he’s fired. He’s fired.'”
As a result, NFL players from around the league let Trump have a piece of their minds. Here’s a sampling of what they’ve said so far:
It's really sad man … our president is a asshole
— Lesean McCoy (@CutonDime25) September 23, 2017
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
When will people learn that fear won’t make someone sit down. It quite possibly will make more stand up for what they believe in.
— Chris Conley (@_flight17_) September 23, 2017
Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh.
— Eric Ebron (@Ebron85) September 23, 2017
Even the normally reticent NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, thought it necessary to make a statement on Trump’s inflammatory remarks:
“The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture. There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we’ve experienced over the last month. Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.”
But it wasn’t just football players who decided to speak up on the issue. Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James joined the debate in response to Trump trying to uninvite Steph Curry of the World Champion Golden State Warriors to the White House. Curry had already made it clear he didn’t plan to show up, but Trump couldn’t resist rage tweeting:
Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
So LeBron laid some major karma on the president:
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
But with all of this back and forth, what Chis Paul, who also happens to be head of the NBA player’s union, had to say on the matter should be enough to make the petulant POTUS sit down, shut up, and put his cell phone away:
With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
And I doubt he's man enough to call any of those players a son of a bitch to their face…
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
Game, set, and match, Mr. Paul. Brilliantly done.
Featured Image Via Wikimedia Commons under a Creative Commons license
