Trump clashes with sports world over player protests, invitation

[rooster59]

Trump clashes with sports world over player protests, invitation

By Barbara Goldberg and Joel Schectman

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally for Senator Luther Strange in Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. September 22, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump and the sports world engaged in an intensifying spat on Saturday after he called for National Football League owners to fire players who protest during the U.S. national anthem and disinvited a National Basketball Association star from a White House visit.

 

Responding to Trump's attacks on football players who protested during the national anthem, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Saturday Trump's statements revealed "unfortunate lack of respect" for the NFL and its players.

 

Goodell's statement was released a day after Trump suggested any protesting football player was a "son of a bitch" and should lose his job.

 

"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 ... He is fired'," Trump said on Friday at a rally for Alabama Senate Republican candidate Luther Strange.

 

Trump said in Twitter messages later on Saturday that, if NFL players wanted "the privilege" of high salaries, they "should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!"

 

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick stirred a polarizing national debate in 2016 after refusing to stand during pre-game renditions of the "Star Spangled Banner."

 

Instead, Kaepernick put one knee to the ground to protest against police violence against African-Americans. Several players have since made similar gestures of protest before games.

 

As commissioner, Goodell reports to NFL owners, some of whom have supported Trump in the past. New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, a major Trump presidential campaign donor, was confirmed by the Senate last month as Trump's pick to serve as U.S. ambassador to Britain.

 

The union representing professional football players also rejected Trump's comments, saying it would defend their right to freedom of expression.

 

The White House could not be reached immediately to comment on the statements by Goodell or the union.

 

"INVITATION WITHDRAWN!"

 

NBA players also struck back against comments by the president on Saturday.

 

In an early morning Twitter message on Saturday, the president rescinded a White House invitation to basketball star Stephen Curry, who had said he would "vote" against the planned visit by the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

 

"Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!" Trump tweeted.

 

Curry told a news conference in Oakland, California: "It's beneath the leader of a country to go that route."

 

"It's not what leaders do," he said.

 

The Oakland-based Golden State Warriors said in a statement the team had intended to meet to discuss the potential visit at the first opportunity on Saturday morning.

 

"We accept that President Trump has made it clear that we are not invited," the team said.

 

LeBron James came to Curry's defense, disputing Trump's assertion that visiting the White House was an honor.

 

"Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!" James, a prominent supporter of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential elections, said on Twitter.

 

Singer Stevie Wonder appeared to evoke protests by Kaepernick and other athletes when he put one knee to the stage during a concert at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City on Saturday.

 

"Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America," Wonder told the audience as his son, Kwame Morris, helped him down.

 

Wonder then put his other leg down so that he was kneeling and facing the cheering crowd, with his son doing the same.

 

"I’m taking both knees," Wonder said. "Both knees in prayer for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe."

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-09-24

[ilostmypassword]

It turns out that Trump also failed after an attempted incursion into professional football. Maybe he's still bitter?

Donald Trump’s long, stormy and unrequited romance with the NFL

"President Trump’s criticism of NFL players and the league itself at a political rally Friday evening, which he followed up with a series of tweets Saturday, marked the latest entry in his long-running dalliance with the NFL, which, in some ways, is like a super-elite country club whose membership Trump has never been able to attain."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/donald-trumps-long-stormy-and-unrequited-romance-with-the-nfl/2017/09/23/979264a4-a093-11e7-8ea1-ed975285475e_story.html

[thaihome]

Again, a speech playing to his minority base.

 

If someone has the right in the US to parade down a street with the flag of a movement that some 300,000 America died fighting then certainly some one has the right to take a knee during the national anthem in protest against the historical and ongoing treatment of black males by US police. 

 

 

Photograph by Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty

Every day, and in countless and unexpected ways, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, finds new ways to divide and demoralize his country and undermine the national interest. On Tuesday, he ranted from the lectern of the U.N. General Assembly about “Rocket Man” and the possibility of levelling North Korea. Now he has followed with an equally unhinged domestic performance at a rally, on Friday evening, in Huntsville, Alabama, where he set out to make African-American athletes the focus of national contempt.

https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-racial-demagoguery-of-trumps-assaults-on-colin-kaepernick-and-steph-curry

[Basil B]

He is in danger of turning up for an event headlined as a all stare line up to find himself all alone on stage.

[Langsuan Man]

This Trumpertantrum might be the   OK Corral on 5th Avenue moment of his presidency

 

Only group left for him to question their patriotism is NASCAR

[inThailand]

Choosing to knee during the anthem is one thing, not even showing up for it is taking it to far.

 

I hope fans boycott these overpaid, I am too important boys, who get silly money for doing what many would do for free.

[ilostmypassword]

45 minutes ago, inThailand said:

Choosing to knee during the anthem is one thing, not even showing up for it is taking it to far.

 

I hope fans boycott these overpaid, I am too important boys, who get silly money for doing what many would do for free.

I actually would enjoy doing brain surgery for free. Better me than those overpaid boys and girls who do it now.

 

And why is not showing up worse than kneeling on one knee?

 

And why is the national anthem even played before football and baseball games?

[FreddieRoyle]

This is the equivalent of refusing to stand up in the cinema during Thai national anthem. It is a cross between hatred for their homeland and bad manners verging on plain stupidity. I would have them all fired, until decorum returns to sport. Sad fact is these guys are not employed for their brains - they are just physically fit. I know a medic, physio trainer working for one of the UK's premier footy teams, he said they are all as "daft as a brush". They deserve a salary in line with your average WalMart shelf stocker.

[inThailand]

18 minutes ago, FreddieRoyle said:

This is the equivalent of refusing to stand up in the cinema during Thai national anthem. It is a cross between hatred for their homeland and bad manners verging on plain stupidity. I would have them all fired, until decorum returns to sport. Sad fact is these guys are not employed for their brains - they are just physically fit. I know a medic, physio trainer working for one of the UK's premier footy teams, he said they are all as "daft as a brush". They deserve a salary in line with your average WalMart shelf stocker.

Great analogy! 

 

Hatred and bad manners!

[Credo]

4 minutes ago, inThailand said:

Great analogy! 

 

Hatred and bad manners!

Not a good analogy at all.   Freedom of expression is guaranteed in the US and that includes the right to express yourself by not standing for the National Anthem.   

 

People fought and died to protect that right.    

[Emster23]

Why was US anthem played before game in UK? The tune is for the fans, not the teams. Did they play UK anthem before summer tour games with EPL teams this year?

[inThailand]

No one is forcing you to sing or place your hand on your heart. Just stand with your hat off to show respect. You can still show respect even if you don't agree.

[tonray]

1 minute ago, Emster23 said:

Why was US anthem played before game in UK? The tune is for the fans, not the teams. Did they play UK anthem before summer tour games with EPL teams this year?

Before hockey games with a Canadian team, we always play both the American and Canadian national anthems.

[pegman]

5 minutes ago, tonray said:

Before hockey games with a Canadian team, we always play both the American and Canadian national anthems.

Yes, we remember well having our anthem booed by Americans when our government wouldn't go along with George Bush's false pretenses for invading Iraq. Wonder how many whining now about the players protesting inherent racism were amoung those booing then? 

[inThailand]

8 minutes ago, tonray said:

Before hockey games with a Canadian team, we always play both the American and Canadian national anthems.

And they play national anthems at the Olympics. 

[ilostmypassword]

2 minutes ago, inThailand said:

And they play national anthems at the Olympics. 

Since those teams are representing their respective nation, that makes sense. What nation do the Minnesota Vikings or the Dallas Cowboys represent? Do they both represent the USA? If so, are fans viewing a reenactment of the Civil War?

[habanero]

12 hours ago, thaihome said:

Again, a speech playing to his minority base.

 

If someone has the right in the US to parade down a street with the flag of a movement that some 300,000 America died fighting then certainly some one has the right to take a knee during the national anthem in protest against the historical and ongoing treatment of black males by US police. 

 

 

 

 

I have to disagree. This will be I feel the largest boycott in U.S. history. Democrat and Republican alike are aligned in this. Yes, one has a right to kneel during the national anthem. But, owners and fans also have the right to demand that you not do it on their field. If you want to protest go out on a public street. The players are just employees of the NFL and their respective teams and owners. If you worked at McDonald,s as an example and danced around annoying customers. The owner or manager would have the right to fire you.  

Why do NFL players get penalized for taunting or celebrating in the end zone after a touchdown? Isn't that a form of expression? But, the rules say they will not do it.  I believe a new ruling will come from the NFL or teams that all players will stand during the National Anthem. Just my thoughts. 

[ilostmypassword]

54 minutes ago, FreddieRoyle said:

Sad fact is these guys are not employed for their brains - they are just physically fit. I know a medic, physio trainer working for one of the UK's premier footy teams, he said they are all as "daft as a brush". They deserve a salary in line with your average WalMart shelf stocker.

So they're just physically fit and not elite athletes? Really? You Socialists are all alike. Just envious of those more successful than yourselves.

[attrayant]

1 hour ago, FreddieRoyle said:

It is a cross between hatred for their homeland and bad manners verging on plain stupidity.

 

Compulsory nationalism is a cornerstone of dictatorships, not democracies.  A point you make nicely with your next Trumpian sentence:

 

1 hour ago, FreddieRoyle said:

I would have them all fired, until decorum returns to sport.

 

[selftaopath]

Is being a draft dodger and tax evader being disrespectful to the country and flag? 45 is guilty of both. Loyalty to the country? Is he wanting a full investigation into Russia's act of war? Is he calling for ways to safeguard any country from penetrating our cyberspace? Hell no. He just wants to stir sxxx and detract the focus on his own un-constitutional actions. He is the most corrupt (sad to say) elected official in U.S. history. I totally despise him.

[Credo]

Is this the same Trump who didn't have the courage to throw the first ball for baseball?

 

[Jingthing]

LeBron James stickin' it to the racism dog whistling super TROLL in chief clown potus.

 

Quote

James’ “U Bum” Tweet Is Way More Popular Than Any of the President’s Messages

President Trump likes to talk about how popular he is and how much he is liked (plus, did you know he won an election?). So surely the president is none too happy today to realize that LeBron James’ tweet insulting him is way more popular than anything he has ever written. Turns out, the basketball superstar is better at uniting Americans than the commander in chief.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/09/24/lebron_james_tweet_calling_trump_u_bum_is_way_more_popular_than_anything.html

 

 

[Jingthing]

54 minutes ago, habanero said:

I have to disagree. This will be I feel the largest boycott in U.S. history. Democrat and Republican alike are aligned in this. Yes, one has a right to kneel during the national anthem. But, owners and fans also have the right to demand that you not do it on their field. If you want to protest go out on a public street. The players are just employees of the NFL and their respective teams and owners. If you worked at McDonald,s as an example and danced around annoying customers. The owner or manager would have the right to fire you.  

Why do NFL players get penalized for taunting or celebrating in the end zone after a touchdown? Isn't that a form of expression? But, the rules say they will not do it.  I believe a new ruling will come from the NFL or teams that all players will stand during the National Anthem. Just my thoughts. 

You're tripping. That ain't happening. 

[inThailand]

58 minutes ago, habanero said:

I have to disagree. This will be I feel the largest boycott in U.S. history. Democrat and Republican alike are aligned in this. Yes, one has a right to kneel during the national anthem. But, owners and fans also have the right to demand that you not do it on their field. If you want to protest go out on a public street. The players are just employees of the NFL and their respective teams and owners. If you worked at McDonald,s as an example and danced around annoying customers. The owner or manager would have the right to fire you.  

Why do NFL players get penalized for taunting or celebrating in the end zone after a touchdown? Isn't that a form of expression? But, the rules say they will not do it.  I believe a new ruling will come from the NFL or teams that all players will stand during the National Anthem. Just my thoughts. 

The majority of people will not stand for this on the field and if they vote with their wallet, attendance or viewing ship the owners and NFL most likely will stop it.

They can protest all they want off the field. 

[Jingthing]

Why is the immoral clown potus trolling and inflaming the nation on an issue that's really none of his business (NFL policies) instead of focusing on the actual real life disaster happening now in PUERTO RICO?

[habanero]

27 minutes ago, selftaopath said:

Is being a draft dodger and tax evader being disrespectful to the country and flag? 45 is guilty of both. Loyalty to the country? Is he wanting a full investigation into Russia's act of war? Is he calling for ways to safeguard any country from penetrating our cyberspace? Hell no. He just wants to stir sxxx and detract the focus on his own un-constitutional actions. He is the most corrupt (sad to say) elected official in U.S. history. I totally despise him.

Why do you people insist on using the term draft dodger?  Obviously, he is not the first president in recent times to avoid the now defunct draft. Also, the majority of people on TV are so anti U.S. military. Why do you care who avoided the draft?

[DM07]

"'Murica! We are the greatest democracy, the world has ever seen! We have the 1st amendment! Yeah, freedom of speech! Whooooo!...well...as long as you do as you are told...!"

[Jingthing]

Just now, habanero said:

Why do you people insist on using the term draft dodger?  Obviously, he is not the first president in recent times to avoid the now defunct draft. Also, the majority of people on TV are so anti U.S. military. Why do you care who avoided the draft?

His case was unusually sleazy. The fake bone spur thing. 

[habanero]

20 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You're tripping. That ain't happening. 

Remember you said that. 

[Jingthing]

Just now, habanero said:

Remember you said that. 

No problem, dude.