Vice President Mike Pence walked out of the Indianapolis Colts-San Francisco 49ers game Sunday afternoon after nearly two dozen 49ers kneeled during the playing of the National Anthem.
Pence, who left the Indiana governorship to be President Donald Trump’s vice president, had early posted a photo of himself and his wife Karen at the game, saying, “Looking forward to cheering for our @Colts & honoring the great career of #18 Peyton Manning at @LucasOilStadium today. Go Colts!”
Looking forward to cheering for our @Colts & honoring the great career of #18 Peyton Manning at @LucasOilStadium today. Go Colts! pic.twitter.com/C3aCYUNpqG
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
Update (Pence ‘game day’ photo is from 2014.)
(Actual game day photo, White House photo and Pence statement from October 8, 2017)
Vice President Pence just tweeted he left the Colts game because 23 49ers kneeled during the national anthem.
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) October 8, 2017
Pence later posted, “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.”
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
UPDATE: President Trump posted he asked Vice President Pence to walk out if an anthem protest took place, “I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.”
I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
Statement issued by Vice President Pence:
After 20+ @49ers players #TakeAKnee in Indianapolis, @VP leaves @Colts game saying can’t attend event where such disrespect shown. pic.twitter.com/vGOgP7nVV0
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) October 8, 2017
More updates to come.
