Mike Pence Leaves Colts-49ers Game Due to Players Kneeling During National Anthem
It looks like the whole debate over NFL players kneeling during the national anthem won’t be dying anytime soon as the vice-president announced today that he left a game between the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers due to players refusing to stand for the Star-Spangled Banner.
Vice-President Mike Pence stated earlier today that he was at the game in Indianapolis to help honor the career of Colts legend Peyton Manning.
Looking forward to cheering for our @Colts & honoring the great career of #18 Peyton Manning at @LucasOilStadium today. Go Colts! pic.twitter.com/C3aCYUNpqG
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
However, shortly after the game started, the former Indiana governor took to Twitter to let everyone know that he left the stadium — and why he did so:
I left today's Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience…
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
…now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us…
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don't think it's too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
I stand with @POTUS Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/B0zP5M41MQ
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
He also tweeted out a picture of him standing during the playing of the anthem:
We were proud to stand – with all our @Colts – for our soldiers, our flag, and our National Anthem ?? pic.twitter.com/mkZiKMkPDD
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
It was reported that several players from the 49ers knelt during the anthem, something they’ve done pretty much since the protests started last year:
Players on the 49ers have been kneeling during the National Anthem since this started and Pence knowingly attended their game in Indy https://t.co/fLLfFrf8Pe
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) October 8, 2017
Ironically, while Pence was tweeting about his exit from the game, it was reported that the athlete most associated with the protests — free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick — had said he’d be willing to stand for the anthem if a team signed him. (Kaepernick would later refute that report.)
[image via screengrab]
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