VP Pence Leaves NFL Game in Disgust When 49ers Kneel During Anthem
Vice President Mike Pence left an NFL game Sunday after several players took a knee during the national anthem.
Pence left the Indianapolis Colts game after around 20 players from the San Francisco 49ers knelt during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner.” The vice president, following in the footsteps of President Donald Trump, criticized the players for their disrespect on Twitter.
I left today's Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience…
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
…now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us…
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don't think it's too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
He concluded his posts with a simple statement: I stand with President Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem.
I stand with @POTUS Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/B0zP5M41MQ
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
Since the president suggested in a recent speech that players who fail to stand for the national anthem should be fired, players on teams across the NFL have taken a knee in protest. The issue has become extremely divisive in recent weeks.
While some other teams have decided to stand, others — the 49ers in particular — have continuously knelt at the start of each game. For the vice president, that was utterly unacceptable.
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Note: The Colts ended up beating the 49ers in overtime 26-23.
