Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey issued a statement responding to the comments of President Donald Trump on Sunday morning. After most NFL teams issued a statement acknowledging the president’s statements Friday, the Chicago Bears chairman issued a statement.
The Chicago Bears are proud to support our players, coaches and all members of our organization to bring peace and unity together through football,” McCaskey said. “What makes this the greatest country in the world are the liberties it was founded upon and the freedom to express oneself in a respectful and peaceful manner. Through important dialogue with our players and team , this divisive political situation has unified our franchise for the present and the future.”
— George McCaskey, Chairman Chicago Bears
On Friday, September 22, 2017 night in a rally in Alabama, President Donald Trump criticized NFL players protesting during the national anthem.
“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!”
— President Donald J. Trump
Trump tweeted several more times regarding the NFL/National Anthem controversy, including Sunday morning, saying: “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!”
NFL owners have joined commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith in condemning the president’s comments. The statement from McCaskey followed Sunday morning.
No Chicago Bears players have protested during the national anthem, following 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest a year ago. Today Bears players were standing, and locked in arms with coaches, during the national anthem before their game with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The entire Pittsburgh Steelers football team, except for one player, remained in the locker room until the conclusion of the national anthem. Pittsburgh Steeler Alejandro Villanueva decided stood during the national anthem alone, near the entrance to the stadium from the visiting team’s locker room. His hand was on his heart during the national anthem. When the Steelers entered the playing field, they were heavily booed by fans.
My co-host @burghseyeview football team is the Pittsburgh @steelers. He has a message for you and what you did today #StandForTheFlag pic.twitter.com/m6bAMTa6Gm
— ?Wayne Dupree (@WayneDupreeShow) September 24, 2017
Wayne Dupree is a leading national conservative voice. He is also a member of Project 21, a black leadership network, is a regular contributor to The Political Insider, Headline Politics, Townhall.com, NewsmaxTV and the One America News Network.
Three-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long was the first Bears player to publicly speak out against the president, doing so in a tweet on Saturday.
Taking freedoms away from Americans is unamerican. Ain't it? ?
— Kyle (@Ky1eLong) September 23, 2017
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says that NFL players have the right to free speech off the field but should show respect for the US flag while they are on the field.
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