U. S. President Donald Trump on Friday renewed his attacks on NFL players pushing for criminal justice and other social reforms, after a number of players protested during the league’s preseason opening late on Thursday.<\/b>
\nWASHINGTON (Reuters) — U. S. President Donald Trump on Friday renewed his attacks on NFL players pushing for criminal justice and other social reforms, after a number of players protested during the league\u2019s preseason opening late on Thursday.
The National Football League has struggled to address the issue of players who silently protest against police brutality and social inequality during the national anthem, amid Trump\u2019s regular criticism of such protests and as it tries to manage relations with both its players and fans.
As games opened on Thursday, several players knelt, refused to stand on the field, or raised their fists.
Trump, who has urged the NFL to suspend protesting players — who have mostly been black Americans — again called on the NFL to act, and said players should find another way to speak out.
\u201cNumerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their \u2018outrage\u2019 at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love….. Be happy, be cool!\u201d he tweeted early on Friday.
For the past few seasons, some NFL players have sought to call attention to police brutality toward African-Americans and minorities and racial oppression by taking a knee during the anthem before games. Trump and others have blasted the gesture as a sign of disrespect to the U. S. flag and the military, launching a political fight.
Trump has also condemned African-American players in other sports, spurring critics to say his comments are racially charged and intended to stoke his base ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm congressional elections.
Last week, the president lashed out at National Basketball Association star LeBron James, who told CNN that Trump was using sports \u201cto kind of divide us.\u201d
On Thursday, Miami Dolphins players Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson and Robert Quinn protested during the anthem, before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Miami at a preseason game, according to ESPN.
\u201cBeing a part of this protest hasn\u2019t been easy. I thought I was going to be by myself out there,\u201d Stills told the sports news outlet. \u201cToday I had an angel with me, with Albert being out there. I\u2019m grateful he sees what\u2019s happening, and he wants to do something about it as well.\u201d
Malcolm Jenkins, a football player for the Philadelphia Eagles, urged fans on Twitter to reflect on the country\u2019s prison population and the NFL, both of which feature a large majority of people of color, specifically African Americans.
\u201cWhat you witness on the field does not represent the reality of everyday America,\u201d Jenkins wrote on Thursday. \u201cWe are the anomalies …\u201d
League owners last month suspended a policy they had sought to put in place this season that would have required players to stand for the anthem, after the player\u2019s union objected.
Representatives for the NFL and the Players Coalition did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The NFL Players Association declined to comment.
Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who started the protests in 2016, praised Miami Dolphins players Stills and Wilson for kneeling on Thursday to \u201cprotest systemic oppression.\u201d
\u201cStay strong brothers!\u201d Kaepernick said in a post on Twitter.
In June, Trump refused to follow White House tradition of inviting league winners for an official visit, saying he would not extend an invitation to this year\u2019s NBA champs.<\/p>\n

\n

Similarity rank: 40<\/div>\n

Sentiment rank: -0.7<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

TW posts: 101<\/div>\n

TW reposts: 53<\/div>\n

TW likes: 83<\/div>\n

TW sentiment: -10<\/div>\n<\/div>\n