Mike Pence Departs NFL Game After Peaceful Protest of Racial Oppression and Police Brutality

‘I Stand With President Trump’

Mike Pence departed Sunday’s NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts after players peacefully protested racial oppression and policy brutality during the national anthem.

ESPN reported that for the second week in a row, “the 49ers had more than 20 players kneeling during the national anthem with their hands over their hearts. Teammates stood behind the kneeling players with one hand on a kneeling teammate’s shoulder and the other over their hearts.”

They further reported that the Colts “wore black T-shirts with the words ‘We Will’ on the front and ‘Stand for equality, justice, unity, respect, dialogue, opportunity’ on the back for the second straight week. The players stood with their arms locked during the anthem.”

Pence had shared his excitement for the game early Sunday, which he had attended to honor “the great career of #18 Peyton Manning.” (The Colts were scheduled to retire the “#18” during Sunday’s game.)

Following the peaceful protest, Pence quickly advised via Twitter that he “left today’s Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.”

“At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience, now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us,” he continued. “While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem.”

“I stand with President Trump,” Pence concluded, “I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem.”

Pence subsequently posted a video of he and his wife standing for the anthem:

Donald Trump’s war on the NFL took a new turn last week, when his campaign exploited the national anthem to fundraise for his re-election bid and legal fees.

Michael David Smith, Managing Editor for Pro Football Talk, offered the following about Pence’s departure:

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