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National Football League roundup
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 [September 25, 2017] (The
Sports Xchange) - President Donald
Trump continued his attack early Sunday morning for the third day in
a row on NFL players protesting during the national anthem.
Trump tweeted at 5:44 a.m. suggesting fans should boycott the league
if the protests continue.
"If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting
our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or
suspend!" Trump tweeted hours before the start of Sunday's NFL
games.
Trump doubled down again in a second tweet a short time later that
the protests of players' kneeling down during the anthem are hurting
the league.
"NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many
stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S."
Trump's position unified more players kneeling during the anthem to
protest racial injustice.
Trump lashed out while speaking at a political rally in Huntsville,
Ala., on Friday night when he took on the NFL and its players.
"We're proud of our country. We respect our flag," Trump said to
loud applause at the campaign event.
"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody
disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field
right now. He's fired! He's fired!' "
- - -
Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said President Donald Trump's
comments regarding players in the league are troubling.
"For me, to single out any particular group of players and call them
SOBs, to me, that's insulting and disgraceful," Tagliabue said
Sunday morning at Bank of America Stadium, where he was attending
the New Orleans Saints-Carolina Panthers game as a guest of Panthers
owner Jerry Richardson.
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Tagliabue praised the work of players in their communities. He said
Trump, who called for NFL owners to fire players who don't stand for
the national anthem, appeared to be attempting to curtail free
speech.
- - -
Tight end Rob Gronkowski, who suffered a groin injury last week in
New Orleans, and wide receiver Danny Amendola, who missed a game
with a concussion, were both active for the New England Patriots as
they faced the Houston Texans.
Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee) and starting offensive
tackle Marcus Cannon (ankle, concussion) missed the contest.
- - -
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin went out with a left
knee injury Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Benjamin did not return to the game. He had two catches for 8 yards
at Bank of America Stadium.
Benjamin was dragged down by Saints cornerback Ken Crawley on the
final play of the first quarter and walked gingerly off the field.
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