The NFL continues to struggle as players from around the league are kneeling during the National Anthem. How bad is it? The NFL’s ratings are a train wreck — and there’s no end in sight. One would think Thanksgiving would be a time for players to give thanks to a nation that has provided them the opportunity to play the game they love, while making gobs of money.
Not New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon. He’s not thankful, and let America know by kneeling during the National Anthem on Thanksgiving.
The Hill reports:
New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon continued his protest on Thursday night, kneeling during the national anthem before a game against the Washington Redskins.
Vernon, who has been kneeling since early on in the NFL season, appeared to be the only player to take a knee before the game.
[…]
Prior to last Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Vernon told Newsday that he would continue kneeling, even as criticism of the protests continues.
“What it would take for me to stand is if people can understand what the whole message is behind it,” he told Newsday. “That would actually help a whole lot, but everybody doesn’t see things that way and tries to distort what the message was from the beginning, which is basically social injustice on African-Americans and police brutality.”
White House social media director Dan Scavino took to Twitter Friday, denouncing Vernon’s decision to kneel.
“While @NFL ratings continue to plummet… Not So Thankful: @Giants @OlivierVernon54 Kneels During the National Anthem on Thanksgiving Day (while a Master Sergeant of the United States Army sings) at FedEx Field,” tweeted Scavino.
While @NFL ratings continue to plummet📉…
Not So Thankful: @Giants @OlivierVernon54 Kneels During the National Anthem on Thanksgiving Day (while a Master Sergeant of the United States Army sings) at FedEx Field…https://t.co/wWvkUMiIzc
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) November 24, 2017
President Trump, who is on the front lines in America’s culture war, made sure to rip into Vernon and the NFL.
“Can you believe that the disrespect for our Country, our Flag, our Anthem continues without penalty to the players. The Commissioner has lost control of the hemorrhaging league. Players are the boss!”, tweeted President Trump.
Can you believe that the disrespect for our Country, our Flag, our Anthem continues without penalty to the players. The Commissioner has lost control of the hemorrhaging league. Players are the boss! https://t.co/udXP5MR8BC
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24, 2017
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