Donald Trump is standing firm against the NFL and its tolerance of players kneeling during the national anthem, saying Wednesday that if it continues the NFL’s business is “going to go to hell.”
Before boarding Marine One at the White House on Wednesday, Trump stopped to speak with reporters and again addressed the national anthem protests that have happened across the NFL. (RELATED: Trump Says Fans Tune In To NFL To See If Players Will Disrespect America)
“I think the NFL is in a box. I think they’re in a really bad box,” Trump explained. “You look at what’s happening with their ratings, I mean frankly the only thing that’s doing well in the NFL is the pre-game because everyone wants to see what’s going on.”
“You cannot have people disrespecting our national anthem, our flag, our country — and that’s what they’re doing. And, in my opinion, the NFL has to change or you know what’s going to happen? Their business is going to go to hell.”
The national anthem protest, started over a year ago by then San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, had pretty much died down this season until last week. (RELATED: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals Link Arms And Stand For The National Anthem)
Trump spoke at a rally for Luther Strange in Alabama on Friday where he called on NFL owners to fire anybody who doesn’t stand for the anthem. On Sunday, nearly 200 players around the league kneeled or sat during the anthem in response to Trump’s remarks.