Trump’s remarks about NFL players who kneel during the national anthem have pitted him against the powerful businessmen who control the league.
The president kicked up a furor on Friday when he lashed out at players who kneel during the national anthem to draw attention to social justice issues.
Trump told a crowd in Alabama that the league’s owners should respond to the players by saying, « Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, he’s fired. He’s fired! »
The remarks have spurred backlash from many corners, and they’ve pitted Trump against some of the powerful businessmen who control the league.
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross issued a statement criticizing the president’s words.
« Our country needs unifying leadership right now, not more divisiveness, » he said. « We need to seek to understand each other and have civil discourse instead of condemnation and sound bites. »
Ross, a billionaire New York real estate developer, also defended the Dolphins players who have kneeled during the anthem.
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« These are smart young men of character who want to make our world a better place for everyone, » Ross said. « They wanted to start a conversation and are making a difference in our community. »
New York Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch also pushed back against Trump.
« Comments like we heard last night from the president are inappropriate, offensive and divisive, » the statement reads. « We are proud of our players, the vast majority of whom use their NFL platform to make a positive difference in our society. »
By Saturday evening, Falcon’s owner Arthur Blank and 49ers CEO Jed York had weighed in as well.
« We are at our very best when we are working together, building unity and including everyone’s voice in a constructive dialogue, » Blank said. « Creating division or demonizing viewpoints that are different than our own accomplishes nothing positive and undermines our collective ability to achieve the ideals of our democracy. »
York called Trump’s comments « callous and offensive. »
« Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens in order to spark conversation and action to address social injustice, » he said. « We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world. »
And the NFL’s Commissioner, Roger Goodell, slammed Trump in a statement Saturday morning.
« Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities, » he said.
