Football drama is not just happening on the field, but in the political arena.
On Friday, President Donald Trump took a stand on the protests that have been happening during the National Anthem at games. The president called for team owners to fire any “son of a bitch” who “disrespects our flag.”
The protests started last August with Colin Kaepernick. He decided to kneel, saying he was calling for social justice for innocent black men killed during interactions with police. Soon others joined them. He was not signed to a team this season, but protests continue.
All 28 teams in the NFL that played on Sunday displayed some sort of protest in reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s words. At Ford Field, eight players knelt.
Critics say kneeling during the anthem insults veterans. 7 Action News spoke to veterans and found they are divided.
“You stand for the flag,” said Dave Deblauwe, a Vietnam veteran. “This is my country. I fought for this country and have friends that died for this country.”
“They have a right. This is what we fought for,” said Paul Palazzolo, another Vietnam Veteran. “Did Jewish people have the right to demonstrate during the Holocaust? No. This is their right to demonstrate.”
Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke in Detroit on Monday calling on President Trump to stop “un-American attacks” on players protesting.
“The right to fight for the right is what makes America great. Free speech is what makes America great,” said Jackson.
He says people have lost sight of what this is about. It is about starting a conversation about how to overcome systemic racism.
