It only took one pre-season game for the NFL’s kneeling and fist raising movement to start back up.
President Donald Trump is not happy about it.
The NFL players are at it again - taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
Multiple NFL players either took a knee or raised a fist during the national anthem during their first pre-season game on Thursday.
Malcolm Jenkins and De’Vante Bausby raised their fists in the air, Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson took a knee and the movement even got outside support from some very notable names.
Kenny Stills...
— LEFT⚫️ (@LeftSentThis) August 10, 2018
Still taking a knee against systemic oppression.
Still standing with Colin Kaepernick.
Still letting the NFL “Owners” know that he knows his rights, and that they own the TEAM but NOT the professional athletes employed by the team.
✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/ALIpZar6dJ
NBA legend Bill Russell posted a picture of himself kneeling to Twitter, saying he wanted to show his “continued support for the players and their decision to stand up against social injustice.”
While the photo he posted was the same one he posted last season, the 84-year-old said he thought about taking a new photo but was worried that he wouldn’t be able to get up.
The first NFL games kick off today, I want to show my continued support for the players & their decision to stand against #socialinjustice. I thought about taking a new photo but was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get up this time @NFL @BostonGlobe @MSNBC @CNN #ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/VrGhmTpALn
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) August 9, 2018
Before we enjoy this game lets take some time to ponder that more than 60% of the prison population are people of color. The NFL is made up of 70% African Americans. What you witness on the field does not represent the reality of everyday
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) August 9, 2018
America. We are the anomalies... pic.twitter.com/gCeNKuTl1d
My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee. Albert Wilson @iThinkIsee12 joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers!✊🏾
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 10, 2018
📸 @footcandles#imwithkap #imwithereid #takeaknee pic.twitter.com/LimoadfUcW
The early season statement from the players also garnered a tweet from Colin Kaepernick, but it was Trump’s tweets that really stole the show.
He said the players were “at it again,” and claimed they were showing outrage at something they are unable to define.
.....Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest,” he tweeted. “Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest.”
“Stand proudly for your national anthem or be suspended without pay!”
It doesn’t look like this back and forth between NFL players and the president will be coming to an end any time soon.
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