President Donald Trump on Monday took to Twitter to take another swat at the NFL and its kneeling players while praising NASCAR teams and fans for their staunch support of the flag.
Trump was emboldened by the reaction from NASCAR team owners who Sunday said they would fire any member of their racing teams who didn't stand for the national anthem.
"Anybody that don't stand up for that ought to be out of the country. Period," racing great turned team owner Richard Petty said, USA Today reported. "If they don't appreciate where they're at . . . what got them where they're at? The United States."
That stands in stark contrast to Sunday in the NFL, when numerous owners kneeled or stood, locked arm-in-arm with their players after being called out by Trump prior to the weekend. Players from almost every team kneeled, sat or locked arms with their teammates. Further, three teams didn't even come out of the locker room for the national anthem.
The protest is against police brutality, starting when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem last season.
Several coaches and owners spoke against Trump's rhetoric, including Patriots owners Robert Kraft, who donated $1 million to Trump during the election and whose team didn't shy away from their support of Trump during the campaign.
"I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the president on Friday," Kraft said in a statement Sunday. "I am proud to be associated with so many players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our communities. Their efforts, both on and off the field, help bring people together and make our community stronger."
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