MORRISTOWN, N.J.—President Donald Trump insisted Sunday that his opposition to NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality “has nothing to do with race” but has to do with “respect for our country and respect for our flag.”
Trump, who inflamed the sports world on Friday by saying players who protest police brutality during the Star Spangled Banner by refusing to stand or conducting other acts of defiance should be fired, reiterated Sunday that owners “should do something” about the protests.
Trump, as he prepared to board Air Force One to return to Washington from New Jersey on Sunday, said he didn't think his comments Friday on players being fired or since have inflamed racial tensions. Trump said the players protesting the anthem were “very disrespectful to our country.”
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the kneeling movement last year when he played for the San Francisco 49ers, refusing to stand during “The Star-Spangled Banner” to protest the treatment of black people by police. Kaepernick became a free agent and has not been signed by a new team for this season.
“This has nothing to do with race. I've never said anything about race,” Trump said. “This has nothing to do with race or anything else. This has to do with respect for our country and respect for our flag.”
Trump said he was not watching NFL games on Sunday—“Believe me, I'm doing other things,” he said—but said he watched a little bit and “I will say there was tremendous solidarity for our flag and for our country.”
Following the president's comments on Friday, hundreds of NFL players sat, knelt or raised their fists in defiance during the national anthem on Sunday. Several NFL owners also condemned Trump's statement, including ally Robert Kraft, owner of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, who expressed “deep disappointment” with Trump.
“I like Bob very much. He's my friend. He gave me a Super Bowl ring a month ago. So he's a good friend of mine and I want him to do what he wants to do,” Trump said. “We have a great country. We have great people representing our country, especially our soldiers our first responders and they should be treated with respect.”
The Associated Press observed more than 200 players around the NFL kneeling or sitting during the national anthem on Sunday.
The highest total was in Washington before the nationally televised night game, where nearly the entire Oakland Raiders team protested, in addition to six Redskins. No one sat or knelt at the Pittsburgh at Chicago game, although the Steelers stayed in the tunnel. In Tennessee, both the Titans and Seattle Seahawks remained inside through the anthem.
Here's a breakdown at each game, as observed by AP reporters:
Oakland Raiders at Washington Redskins: Roughly 50 Raiders sat or kneeled, plus six Redskins.
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts: About 24.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles: At least three (and three other players raising their fists).
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills: About 35, including Bills RB LeSean McCoy and about half of the Broncos' roster.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings: At least two, including Bucs WRs Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots: About 16.
Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers: At least 15.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets: At least four, including Dolphins WR Kenny Stills and OT Laremy Tunsil.
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers: About 12, including Saints RB Adrian Peterson.
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions: About 10, including Lions RB Ameer Abdullah.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears: The Steelers stayed in the tunnel, although Army veteran Alejandro Villanueva stood outside the tunnel with his hand over his heart.
Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers: Three Packers and no Bengals.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in London: About 24, including Ravens LB Terrell Suggs and Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette.
Total: 204
The amount of protests around the NFL ballooned this weekend in the wake of President Donald Trump's criticism of players who protest during the national anthem. Only four players were observed kneeling or sitting last weekend, and two others raised their fists.