Seahawks’ WR Doug Baldwin on Trump’s comments: ‘I believe this will be a unifying moment for the sports world’

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin released an official statement responding to a series of disparaging remarks about NFL player protests made Friday by President Donald Trump, reports 710 ESPN Seattle’s Gee Scott.

“I’m not surprised by Trump’s comments,” Baldwin wrote. “With as much influence as athletes have on the younger generation, this can be an opportunity for us to change the narrative of society and point to the president as a poor example of what you can become if you remain close minded, ignorant and uneducated.”

The statement reads:

I’m not surprised by Trump’s comments. He has shown, since the beginning, his dehumanized nature. To think he would be anything different is to not know the reality of his presidency. He has surrounded himself with like minded people and has removed anyone who challenges him. He acts like a child craving attention and any attention will do.

Although these recent comments are not the worst things he’s said or done, I do believe that this will be a unifying moment for the sports world. And with as much influence as athletes have on the younger generation, this can be an opportunity for us to change the narrative of society and point to the president as a poor example of what you can become if you remain close minded, ignorant and uneducated.

For all the hate and negativity that has come from Trump’s presidency, I am still hopeful for justice and love to win out. As I continue to my efforts with the youth of our communities and engage with this hatred, I will resist the urge to return hate with hate and instead react in love and compassion for those who simply can not.

I encourage others to do the same.
Thank you,

Douglas Baldwin Jr

Speaking to a crowd during a rally in Alabama, Trump criticized NFL players who have openly protested racism, oppression and police brutality by silently kneeling or sitting during the national anthem pregame.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b—- off the field right now. Out. He’s fired! He’s fired!’,” Trump said.

Trump, who also voiced his disapproval of NFL tackling rules, doubled-down on his statement Saturday. In addition to saying players who do not stand for the anthem should be fired, Trump called out NFL commission Roger Goodell — who had previously released a statement calling Trump’s rhetoric divisive — in a Tweet that read: “Tell them to stand!”

A number of professional athletes, sports personalities and anchors, and reporters have since condemned Trump’s statements, including the NBA, ESPN reporter and anchor Jemele Hill, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Eric Ebron, Chris Conley, Michael and Martellus Bennett, and Richard Sherman.

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