Amid deadly natural disasters, the resurgence of White supremacy and some awfully grave threats from North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, President Donald Trump’s chief objective this weekend appeared to be deriding NFL and NBA players, the former for taking a stand against racial injustice and the latter for not wanting to break bread with the former reality TV star.
During a rally in Alabama on Friday, Trump shared a very comprehensive resolution for NFL team owners whose players opt out of standing during the national anthem: “Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, he’s fired,” Trump passionately declared. “He’s fired!”
Celebrities and atheletes –NFL players in particular–didn’t take too well to the president’s remarks.
Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh.
— Ebron85.eth (@Ebron85) September 23, 2017
With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
Trump stay in ur place… football have nothing to do wit u smh
— Zach Brown (@ZachBrown_55) September 23, 2017
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The mother of Colin Kaepernick, who began the movement to protest the national anthem last August even gave her two cents.
On Saturday, social media began calling for all NFL players to #TakeAKnee during the national anthem as a show of solidarity in light of Trump’s belligerent commentary.
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And the league listened. Stevie Wonder led by example on Saturday night during his performance at the Global Citizen Festival.
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Many of the @MiamiDolphins players came out for warm ups today wearing #ImWithKap t shirts! ✊️#TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/0USQeNtsmk
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 24, 2017
Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first Major League Baseball player to kneel during the anthem.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZbJXeTDXp9/
A national anthem singer at Sunday’s game between the Detorit Lions and Altanta Falcons even decided to kneel after his performance.
National anthem singer for the Falcons-Lions game takes a knee in Detroit. An amazing moment. pic.twitter.com/aaoxGuIWOr
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) September 24, 2017
Trump also decided to take aim at the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry after the All-American hearthrob stated he didn’t want to visit the White House in lieu of his team’s championship win. Winning championship teams traditionally visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue following their victories.
The 45th president rescinded Curry’s invitation to the White House via Twitter following the NBA player’s comments. The NBA wasn’t holding back their thoughts on the presidential pettiness, particularly Lebron James who had us living for his clapback.
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Browser wasn’t here for the president’s antics either.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZbnwBPDPUz/
Steve Kerr on Donald Trump's tweet: "Not surprising. He was going to break up with us before we broke up with him." Kerr was laughing.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 23, 2017
Warrior’s executives stood by Curry as well when they issued a statement on Trump’s withdrawal of their invitation by defending the team’s right to free speech. Trump boasted that the Pittsburgh Penguins, a National Hockey League team will be joining him instead.
Something tells us there are few, if any hurt feelings on behalf of the Warriors.