Trump Endorses NFL Boycott Before Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans Skip National Anthem (Video)
Followed Pittsburgh Steelers Lead
The Tennessee Titans and the Seattle Seahawks announced before their Sunday afternoon game that neither team would participate in the National Anthem.
The teams followed the lead of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who skipped the National Anthem prior to their game Sunday morning. After this, and prior to the Titans vs. Seahawks game, the President of the United States retweeted a call for the boycott of the NFL:
“As a team, we have decided not to participate in the national anthem,†the Seahawks released in a statement. “We will not stand for the injustice that has plagued people of color in this country.â€
“Out of love for our country and in honor of the sacrifices made on our behalf, we unite to oppose those that would deny our most basic freedoms,†it concluded. “We remain committed in continuing to work towards equality and justice for all.â€
— Seattle Seahawks (@seahawksPR) September 24, 2017
The Titans echoed their sentiments. “As a team, we wanted to be unified in our actions today,†their statement read. “The players jointly decided this was the best course of action.â€Â
“Our commitment to the military and our community is resolute and the absence of our team for the national anthem shouldn’t be misconstrued as patriotic.â€
Statement from #Titans organization on Titans vs. Seahawks national anthem. https://t.co/DPTG14HDoO
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 24, 2017
Following his initial endorsement of an NFL boycott, the president retweeted an image exploiting an apparent service member:
He subsequently changed his Twitter header to that of an American flag, further tweeting that “Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American flag. We MUST honor and respect it!  MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!â€
Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American Flag — we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
Of note, courageous patriots who have fought and died for our country did so in order to protect free speech and the American dream.
The Titans entered the game following the national anthem with their arms linked, together:
Together. #TitanUp pic.twitter.com/Cb4CbXKmj6
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 24, 2017
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