President Trump honored the Armed Forces and made a swipe at NFL players who kneel during the National Anthem in a statement released Sunday just before the start of the Super Bowl.
A special message from President @realDonaldTrump about #SuperBowlSunday. #SBLII pic.twitter.com/TWgs2QB1kh
— GOP (@GOP) February 4, 2018
In a statement released Sunday, the White House said, “As many Americans come together to watch the Super Bowl, Melania and I extend our greetings and appreciation for those who make occasions like this possible, particularly the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.”
“Though many of our Nation’s service members are unable to be home with family and friends to enjoy this evening’s American tradition, they are always in our thoughts and prayers. We owe these heroes the greatest respect for defending our liberty and our American way of life. Their sacrifice is stitched into each star and every stripe of our Star-Spangled Banner.”
But what he said next is making headlines already.
“We hold them in our hearts and thank them for our freedom as we proudly stand for the National Anthem.”
Trump criticized NFL players who kneeled during the National Anthem in a speech in September 2016.
The president said, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he’s fired. He’s fired!'” (RELATED: Amid Tensions With North Korea, Trump Starts A Culture War)
The most prominent voice of the NFL protesters, former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who once wore socks that depicted police officers as pigs. (RELATED: Colin Kaepernick Wears Socks Depicting Cops As Pigs)
