Ignorance was in plain view today on football fields throughout the western hemisphere. Players on the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars took a knee during the playing of the national anthem, a sign of disrespect that was amplified by the fact the game between them was held on foreign soil, in London.
The entire Pittsburgh Steelers team stayed in the locker room during the playing of our national song save one player. The lone standout was offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who prior to joining the Steelers served three tours in Afghanistan as an Army Ranger. Villanueva stood, hand on heart, on the field side of the tunnel leading from the locker room.
But no player dishonored the nation and its flag more than Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy. Choosing neither to kneel or lock arms with his teammates Sunday, McCoy did his pregame stretches during the playing of the national anthem.
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
LeSean McCoy stretches during the national anthem. Video courtesy @JennaCottrell @WKBW @13WHAM #Bills pic.twitter.com/2tT4NmdoD8
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 24, 2017
The Bill’s running back, who has a total contract worth $41.55 million, also tweeted Saturday morning that “our president is a [sic] a**hole.”
It's really sad man … our president is a asshole
— Lesean McCoy (@CutonDime25) September 23, 2017
McCoy’s decision to forgo standing or kneeling with his teammates comes on the heels of a weekend’s worth of comments from President Donald Trump condemning the ongoing protests of the national anthem at NFL games across the country.
Trump continued the fight Sunday morning, renewing his request that NFL owners either fire or suspend players who kneel during the national anthem. He also urged fans not to keep watching games if players continue to protest.
If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
…NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
The president’s comments began with an impassioned speech in Huntsville, Ala., Friday evening. In it, he came out swinging against NFL players who choose to kneel during the national anthem.
“The only thing you could do better is if you see it, even if it’s one player, leave the stadium. I guarantee things will stop. Things will stop. Just pick up and leave. Pick up and leave. Not the same game anymore, anyway,” Trump told the group gathered in Huntsville.
This report, by Robert Donachie, was cross posted by arrangement with the Daily Caller News Foundation.