On Friday night, the President of the United States took it upon himself to comment on the NFL and the players in the league during a rally in Alabama. A state that has no professional football team was listening to the 45th president of the United States comment on the NFL, pregame national anthem protests and how the league has become ‘soft’ with their rule changes to help players safety.
The wild comments were later followed up on Saturday morning by the president taking shots at NBA star Stephen Curry and his decision to skip the White House. Notable names from across the NBA landscape made sure to express their feelings on the ‘commander-in-chief’. The president is combating the athletes as multiple locations in the country he is supposed to run are currently fighting devastation following natural disasters.
The NFL stood unified in their response to reject the notions that the president made during his speech.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement against the president’s remarks.
New NFL statement pic.twitter.com/XHPgVvPPfH
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) September 23, 2017
NFLPA President Winston released a statement of his own along with NFLPA Executive Director Demaurice Smith.
My statement: pic.twitter.com/xxX6LRI92f
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) September 23, 2017
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) September 23, 2017
We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports. pic.twitter.com/Ec3Bc4qt9h
— DeMaurice Smith (@DeSmithNFLPA) September 23, 2017
Wearing an @NFL uniform will not come at the expense of our first amendment right to peacefully protest as citizens. https://t.co/D7jSpssrvN pic.twitter.com/HkxvgCTViy
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) September 23, 2017
NFL owners and CEOs also came to the defense of the league against the president.
Strong statement from #Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch on President Trump comments re: NFL and NFL players pic.twitter.com/HlnuDBMZtY
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 23, 2017
Statement from Arthur Blank: pic.twitter.com/20DH3DHc4e
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 23, 2017
Statement from Miami Dolphins Owner and Founder of Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) Stephen Ross. pic.twitter.com/6W3mXwJO6M
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 23, 2017
Statement from Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy: https://t.co/2PwuHc1Neb pic.twitter.com/aDjMvVRXaJ
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 23, 2017
— Jed York (@JedYork) September 23, 2017
Players from all around the NFL expressed their displeasure with the remarks made by the president.
I'm ok with being fired for what I believe in.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) 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
My mom is a beautiful lady she has never been a bitch
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) September 23, 2017
Special thanks to Giants ownership for speaking up and against the things said recently! Stay prayed up and stay woke people!
— Damon Harrison (@BigDame900) September 23, 2017
Str8 Joke ! We will overcome ! Jay z right on point ?? https://t.co/i0XS52VTLX
— Desean Jackson (@DeSeanJackson11) September 23, 2017
Try to divide and you may just unify!
— Andrew Whitworth (@awhitworth77) September 23, 2017
Statement from Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin. Maybe my favorite response thus far. pic.twitter.com/MpH2Y1dC44
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) September 23, 2017
— Connor Barwin (@ConnorBarwin98) September 23, 2017
“Stick to sports boy… Sit down and do what your told. Say or do something we don’t like and your fired” Well I hate to break it to ya…
— Chris Conley (@_flight17_) 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
We'll "stick to football" when we see progress. Our Nations leader can't even set a good example of how it looks to be a great American
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) September 23, 2017
Only validates @Kaepernick7 bringing social injustice to light, he kneeled hoping it'd bring attention to what he believed in… Has it not?
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) September 23, 2017
Continue to use your voices and your platforms for racial equality and to stop injustices in our communities. This is bigger than us!!! ??
— Michael Thomas (@Michael31Thomas) September 23, 2017
So the BLACK NFL PLAYERS are SON OF A BITCH now WOW
— Chris Baker (@cbakerswaggy) September 23, 2017
Praying for Mr. Trump and all the people of this country. 1 Timothy 2:1-8
— Cecil Shorts III (@CecilShortsIII) September 23, 2017
Trump!! ???????
— Thomas Davis (@ThomasDavisSDTM) September 23, 2017
It is a sad day when the #POTUS seeks to disregard and punish American citizens for peacefully exercising their constitutional rights. https://t.co/QPvrKDS29D
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) September 23, 2017
Ppl said it was disrespectful not going to the White House..I’m sure they are quiet about us being called “sons of bitches” ?????(D-Mac)
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) September 23, 2017
What an emphatic response, where was this passion in response to Charlottesville…? https://t.co/OkVZTdloXx
— Max Garcia (@MGarcia_76) 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
It's a shame and disgrace when you have the President of the US calling citizens of the country sons of a bitches.
— Bishop Sankey (@BishopSankey) September 23, 2017
Smh & all because @Kaepernick7 is exercising his right as an American citizen to protest.
— Bishop Sankey (@BishopSankey) September 23, 2017
Trump stay in ur place… football have nothing to do wit u smh
— Zach Brown (@ZachBrown_55) September 23, 2017
