"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."
— Colin Kaepernick on his reason for not standing for the national anthem, August 27, 2016
“I don't know if you know — the NFL is way down in their ratings. And you know why? Two reasons. Number one is this politics, they’re finding, is a much rougher game than football, and more exciting. And this, honestly, we've taken a lot of people away from the NFL. And the other reason is Kaepernick. Kaepernick.”
— Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in a speech in Greeley, Colorado, October 30, 2016
"It was reported that NFL owners don't want to pick him up because they don't want to get a nasty tweet from Donald Trump. Do you believe that? I just saw that. I just saw that."
— President Donald Trump taking credit for the failure of an NFL team to hire free agent Colin Kaepernick, March 21, 2017
"Yes, I think there is blame on both sides. You look at both sides. I think there is blame on both sides. And I have no doubt about it. And you don’t have doubt about it either. And if you reported it accurately, you would say."
— President Trump on the violence in Charlottesville, August 15, 2017
"Thank you President Trump for your honesty & courage to tell the truth about #Charlottesville & condemn the leftist terrorists in BLM/Antifa."
— David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan, August 15, 2017
"I can't stand for the national anthem. I can't stand right now. I'm not going to be standing until I see the equality and freedom."
— Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks, August 17, 2017 following Charlottesville.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these N.F.L. 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!’”
— Donald Trump in Alabama speech, September 22, 2017
"Why is the NFL getting massive tax breaks while at the same time disrespecting our Anthem, Flag and Country? Change tax law!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump), October 10, 2017
“Let’s make sure that we keep this confidential.”
— NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, as reported from an October 2017 NFL meeting with owners and players. The New York Times obtained an audio recording of the three-hour meeting.
“We’ve got to be careful not to be baited by Trump or whomever else. We have to find a way to not be divided and not get baited.”
— Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie at the October 2017 meeting. The NFL owners didn't listen.
“The new policy will keep our focus on the game and the extraordinary athletes who play it — and on our fans who enjoy it.”
— NFL Commissioner Goodell on the new NFL anthem policy, May 23, 2018. The policy would give athletes the option of standing for the anthem or staying in the locker room during the pregame ceremony.
“You have to stand proudly for the National Anthem. You shouldn't be playing, you shouldn't be there. Maybe they shouldn't be in the country. . . the NFL owners did the right thing.”
— Trump commenting on the anthem policy, May 24, 2018. Trump should review West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 1943.
— Statement by Trump criticizing the Eagles for being unpatriotic, White House Press Office, June 4, 2018. The Eagles weren't aware of the cancelled visit until the White House press release.
— Philadelphia Eagles response ignoring Trump, June 4, 2018
“We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms.”
— Trump commenting on the anthem policy again, June 5, 2018
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