Donald Trump is not backing down from some recent comments he made about NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, and the president also praised another sports organization that shares his belief.
Prior to Sunday’s NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, legendary stock car drivers and team owners Richard Childress and Richard Petty threatened to fire any member of their team who chose to protest the national anthem.
“Get you a ride on a Greyhound bus when the national anthem is over,” Childress said, via Brant James of USA Today. “I told them anyone who works for me should respect the country we live in. So many people have gave their lives for it. This is America.”
“Anybody that don’t stand up for that ought to be out of the country. Period,” Petty said. “If they don’t appreciate where they’re at … what got them where they’re at? The United States.”
On Monday morning, Trump praised NASCAR for its approach and took more shots at the NFL.
So proud of NASCAR and its supporters and fans. They won't put up with disrespecting our Country or our Flag – they said it loud and clear!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
Many people booed the players who kneeled yesterday (which was a small percentage of total). These are fans who demand respect for our Flag!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
National anthem protests were more widespread than ever across the NFL Sunday in response to Trump saying NFL owners should fire any “son of a b—” who doesn’t stand. Some teams even chose to remain in the locker room and not partake in the anthem at all. Other players wore shirts supporting Colin Kaepernick, who was the first to kneel during the anthem last year.
