Trump Issues Super Bowl Warning for NFL Players Thinking of Taking a Knee

Warns They Will Be Viewed As Being Against the Armed Forces

President Donald Trump may have skipped the traditional interview with the anchor whose news network is carrying the Super Bowl but that did not stop him from weighing in – and weigh in he did, delivering a religious nationalistic message purporting to honor the U.S. Armed Forces. 

But hidden in his message was one to NFL players who might even be thinking of “taking a knee” – kneeling to protest police treatment of Black people.

“As many Americans come together to watch the Super Bowl, Melania and I extend our greetings and appreciation for those who make occasions like this possible, particularly the brave men and women of our Armed Forces,” President Trump said in a message sent from the White House Press Office Sunday afternoon. 

A quick search could not find any previous president issuing a statement on the Super Bowl prior to the game. It’s also extraordinary the president would so directly link the nation’s most popular pastime to the U.S. military.

“Though many of our Nation’s service members are unable to be home with family and friends to enjoy this evening’s American tradition, they are always in our thoughts and prayers. We owe these heroes the greatest respect for defending our liberty and our American way of life. Their sacrifice is stitched into each star and every stripe of our Star-Spangled Banner. We hold them in our hearts and thank them for our freedom as we proudly stand for the National Anthem,” Trump said, clearly warning NFL players that he and his supporters will not accept any who decide to take a knee to protest police killings of Black people. 

“We send our best wishes for an enjoyable Super Bowl Sunday. May God bless and protect our troops, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.”

Any player who kneels during the Pledge of Allegiance will be especially brave.

Image by Tony Webster via Flickr and a CC license