Big Names #TakeTheKnee In Response To President's Call For Firing Of Protesting NFL Players
STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — The President of the United States doubled down on his criticism of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick Sunday morning, attempting to shame football players and the NFL, itself by saying players who participate in the demonstrations should be fired.
Not surprisingly, he also took a jab at the organization's ratings.
The president on Friday alluded to Kaepernick, telling a crowd at a rally in Alabama, "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!'"
At NFL games across the country Sunday, players, coaches, owners and cheerleaders took a knee or locked arms during the national anthem in support of the protest against racial inequality and the killing of unarmed black people by police.
In Detroit, even the singer of the national anthem took a knee when he was done.
Cultural luminaries like Stevie Wonder responded to the president in kind, taking knee at a concert on Saturday.
Wow, @realDonaldTrump it's almost like you can't call a bunch of millionaires mom's "bitches" & get away w/ it. Who knew? ????????????♂️ #TakeAKnee https://t.co/hESztN35wL
— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) September 25, 2017
#TakeaKnee #TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/ydvoZ6UAC0
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) September 24, 2017
It's that easy. #takeaknee pic.twitter.com/FmpJJT4s0D
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) September 24, 2017
Stevie Wonder took a knee at #GlobalCitizenFestival: "Tonight I'm taking a knee for America." ✊???? #TakeTheKneehttps://t.co/PNLZUHCJni pic.twitter.com/CqJjbGIA75
— Okayplayer (@okayplayer) September 25, 2017
#TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/zjLHmCN0zF
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) September 24, 2017
Take A Damn Knee today #TakeAKnee pic.twitter.com/rM2JfBNre9
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) September 24, 2017
My grandpa is a 97 year-old WWII vet & Missouri farmer who wanted to join w/ those who #TakeaKnee: "those kids have every right to protest." pic.twitter.com/LurCj7SLUB
— Brennan Gilmore (@brennanmgilmore) September 24, 2017
He's usually crouched anyway. He'd definitely do it today. #BatmanDay #TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/JuamMXleUs
— Andrew Secunda (@secunda) September 24, 2017
I like when people who told me to respect the Confederate Flag last month scream about respecting the US Flag this month. #TakeTheKnee
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) September 24, 2017
As a football fan, I am proud of the NFL players today. Nothing is more American than the right to peacefully protest.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 24, 2017
Thank you, @realDonaldTrump for giving me opportunities to teach my children the difference between right and wrong. #TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/528z0JhhUj
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 24, 2017
Anyone can stand with the crowd. It takes real bravery to kneel on your own. #ThankYouKamryn #TakeAKnee #TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/tfx2IX9pYB
— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) September 24, 2017
a country founded on genocide and built by slaves. This country will never be #1 until it deals w its sins #TakeTheKnee https://t.co/GXflb794Ew
— Rose✨McGowan (@rosemcgowan) September 24, 2017
(©2017 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)