Pete Carroll responds to Trump’s criticism of players who kneel during anthem
Sep 24, 2017, 10:25 AM
Pete Carroll has responded to President Trump's condemnation of players who don't stand for the national anthem. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
President Trump is sticking by his criticism of football players who kneel during the national anthem and is brushing off a rebuke from the commissioner of the National Football League.
Now Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is responding. He issued a statement on Saturday night that the Seahawks shared on Facebook.
Carroll said there’s no longer a place to sit silently and it’s time to take a stand. He will stand with his players.
Earlier on Saturday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that Trump’s comments about players who kneel during the national anthem are “divisive” and show an “unfortunate lack of respect.”
On Twitter later in the day, Trump said Goodell “put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country. Tell them to stand!”
Trump suggested during a speech Friday night that NFL owners should fire players who kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Several athletes, including a handful of NFL players, have refused to stand to protest treatment of blacks by police.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
