Trump calls on NFL players again to ‘stand for the National Anthem’
US President Donald Trump has called on the US National Football League (NFL) players again to “stand for the National Anthem.”
In a tweet on Wednesday, the US president upped the ante in his fight with the NFL players kneeling down during the national anthem to decry police brutality against minorities, particularly African Americans in the United States.
Trump urged the NFL to take action against those defying the tradition.
“Too much talk, not enough action,” he said. “Stand for the National Anthem.”
‘No shift in NFL policy’
Earlier in the day, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters that the league has not changed its policy to require players to stand up during the national anthem.
“That’s an important part of our policy. It’s also an important part of our game that we all take great pride in, and it’s also important for us to honor our flag and to our country, and we think our fans expect us to do that,” Goodell said.
He added that he was aiming to reduce the number of those protesting in such manner to zero.
“We’re not afraid of the tough conversations,” he said. “That’s what we’re having with our players. That’s what we had yesterday to make sure we understand one another and understand where they’re coming from, and I think out of those discussions, they understand the owners and the NFL really do care about their issues and what we can do to make the communities better.”
Goodell (pictured above) further said he had not yet communicated with President Trump about the issue.
Before his statement, Trump tweeted that such protests amount to a “total disrespect for our great country” and that the league should “force players to stand" for the national anthem.
Read More:
- Trump: NFL players disrespected US war veterans
- NFL player apologizes for standing up to US flag
- NFL drama: Trump plays to nationalism
In his comments, the NFL commissioner rejected the argument, asserting that “They are not doing this in any way to be disrespectful to the flag, but they also understand how it’s being interpreted… That’s why we’re trying to deal with those underlying issues.”
Taking a knee during the National Football League games is part of an effort to raise awareness about American police brutality.
Meanwhile, many players, owners and coaches continue kneeling during the anthem around the league.
US anti-war movement slams crackdown on pro-Palestine dissent
Indigenous People or Columbus Day
Aqsa Flood ‘legitimate resistance operation’ by Palestinians: US Black Alliance for Peace
VIDEO | Iraqi fighters strike Israeli military target, vow ‘increasing intensity’
VIDEO | Iran confirms successful signals from Kowsar, Hodhod satellites
VIDEO | What will keep Gaza on top of the new US presidential agenda?
188 Palestinian journalists killed since start of Israeli war: Gaza media office
Enemy fears us, our weapons, fighters tell Hezbollah’s leader
VIDEO | Silencing anti-Israeli voices
Trump prepares to pull US out of Paris Agreement: Report
VIDEO | Protesters in Sydney demand end to military support for Israel
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
