" President Donald Trump came under harsh criticism from the NFL and some of the NBA's top players after he blasted prominent athletes for kneeling during the national anthem and refusing to come to the White House Cheap Evan Turner Jersey , putting himself in the center of a controversy with significant racial and cultural undertones.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell slammed Trump in a statement, calling the President ""divisive"" for remarks he made at a rally in Alabama Friday night, while one of the most famous athletes in the world, LeBron James, called Trump a ""bum"" for his Saturday morning tweet uninviting Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry from visiting the White House.
The Golden State Warriors issued a statement later Saturday accepting Trump's dis-invitation.
""While we intended to meet as a team at the first opportunity we had this morning to collaboratively discuss a potential visit to the White House Cheap Clyde Drexler Jersey , we accept that President Trump has made it clear that we are not invited,"" the team said.
The statement added that while the team will not be visiting the White House, its players will still come to the nation's capital in February ""to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion — the values that we embrace as an organization.""
Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant also tweeted a rebuke of Trump.
""A #POTUS whose name alone creates division and anger. Whose words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly 'Make America Great Again,'"" Bryant wrote.
Trump's Twitter response
Trump responded to the criticisms Saturday in a series of tweets Cheap Brandon Roy Jersey , saying that playing for a sports league is a ""privilege"" and that players should not be able to disrespect the American flag or the US without risking being ""fired.""
""If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect ...."" Trump tweeted. ""Our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!""
Later, he added of Goodell's criticism: ""Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country. Tell them to stand!""
Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country.Tell them to stand!
The President's Twitter posts continued Sunday morning, saying if fans stayed away from the games because of the players' protests, ""you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!""
Trump then focused on recent attendance at some NFL games and said ratings were ""way down.""
""Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.,"" he tweeted.
If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country Cheap Terry Porter Jersey , you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
...NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
Trump's tweets and harsh reaction highlight an extraordinary moment -- the President, NFL commissioner and top basketball players embroiled in a public fight over unity and patriotism.
Goodell said Trump's criticism of NFL players kneeling in protest during the National Anthem showed a ""lack of respect"" for the league and its players.
""The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture Cheap Festus Ezeli Jersey ,"" Goodell said in the statement. ""There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we've experienced over the last month. Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.""
New York Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch called Trump's NFL comments ""inappropriate"" on Saturday.
""Comments like we heard last night from the president are inappropriate, offensive and divisive,"" their statement said. ""We are proud of our players Cheap Allen Crabbe Jersey , the vast majority of whom use their NFL platform to make a positive difference in our society.""
Several team owners expressed similar comments.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a friend of Trump's, said he was ""deeply disappointed by the tone "" of Trump's remarks at the Friday night rally.
""There is no greater unifier in this country than sports, and unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics Cheap Jusuf Nurkic Jersey ,"" Kraft said in a statement Sunday. ""I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal.""
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said the country needed ""unifying leadership right now, not more divisiveness.""
""I know our players who kneeled for the anthem and these are smart young men of character who want to make our world a better place for everyone,"" Ross said in a statement Saturday.
""We all have the responsibility to use this platform to promote understanding, respect and equality,"" he added.
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York called Trump's remarks ""callous and offensive"" and ""contradictory to what this great country stands for.""
""Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens in order to spark conversation and action to address social injustice Cheap C.J. McCollum Jersey ,"" York said in a statement Saturday. ""We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world.""
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