During an NFL sports panel on Sunday, Pro-Football Hall of Fame recipient Terry Bradshaw took a minute to share some choice words aimed at Donald Trump.
On Friday night, Trump barked out a negative, name-calling, anti-First Amendment tirade, telling his Alabama supporters that any “son of a bitch” athlete who in expressing the right to peacefully protest, takes the knee during a national anthem, should be immediately kicked out of the game and off the team. Here’s an excerpt from Trump’s speech:
“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. Out. He’s fired. He’s fired!’...They’re ruining the game! They’re ruining the game. That’s what they want to do!” -Donald Trump
Trump also told his fans at the rally that if they witness a #TakeTheKnee protest during a game, they should simply "pick up and leave the stadium.” Forget about the money, excitement and time they spent to get tickets to the game. Just pick up and leave. This, he assures them, would cause the protests to stop. Trump adds that the first team owner to fire a protesting athlete would become "the most popular person in the country—for a week."
This is a United States president talking. The so-called “Leader of the Free World” who promised to unify the country, yet continues to divide, endanger and embarrass the nation.
The latest backlash against Trump for his Friday speech and subsequent tweets has become enormous. Some of the most renown athletes and members of the sports industry are speaking out.
Here is Terry Bradshaw’s short, straightforward and compelling video message for Trump and the country, which is going viral. (To play press the white arrow in the centered blue circle.)
Transcription:
“It’s hard to believe that I’m going to say something about the most powerful man in the greatest country in the world, but probably like a lot of you, I was somewhat surprised that the President—the President of the United States came out attacking NFL players for them exercising the Freedom of Speech.
While I don’t condone the protesting during our National Anthem, THIS IS AMERICA!
If our country stands for anything, folks—it’s freedom. People died for that freedom. I’m not sure if our president understands those rights—that every American has the right to speak out, and also to protest.
Believe me—these athletes DO love this great country of ours.
Personally, I think our president should concentrate on serious issues like North Korea and healthcare rather than ripping into athletes and the NFL.”
-Terry Bradshaw
The much-loved former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback spoke the thoughts of millions of Americans on Sunday. Thank you, Terry Bradshaw. Thank you to all who stand up and speak out against anyone who uses threats to silence the Firsat Amendment and the freedom to peacefully protest.
h/t Ricky Davila