President Donald Trump said he won’t be watching the NFL or U.S. soccer this season if players kneel during the national anthem.
After two congressmen slammed U.S. Soccer, which oversees the U.S. men’s and women’s teams, for changing its policy requiring players to stand during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to matches, Trump took to Twitter to imply that he wouldn’t be watching, and said the same for the NFL.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida tweeted that he’d “rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that won’t stand for the National Anthem.”
Trump retweeted a news story Saturday about Gaetz’ statement and added that he “won’t be watching much anymore!”
I won’t be watching much anymore! https://t.co/s8nCg9EJSW
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2020
Ohio congressman Jim Jordan tweeted his feelings, posting “Let me get this straight, UNITED STATES Soccer won’t stand for the UNITED STATES National Anthem?”
The president retweeted Jordan and added NFL to the discussion, “And it looks like the NFL is heading in that direction also, but not with me watching!”
And it looks like the NFL is heading in that direction also, but not with me watching! https://t.co/aGfBaK7RNA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2020
Trump has often attacked players for kneeling during the anthem.
U.S. Soccer released a statement last week saying they are repealing a policy that required players to stand during the national anthem.
In a statement on June 5 NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that the league was wrong for not listening to black players’ concerns and they now encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.
Also this weekend Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt posted to social media that they support kneeling protests.
President Trump said he will not watch @NFL games or U.S. soccer matches if players do not stand for the national anthem https://t.co/zSf4fHY5RM pic.twitter.com/9F3NfGkOau
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 14, 2020
Responding to a fan on Instagram about whether he would kneel, Mayfield posted “pull your head out. I absolutely am.”
