Pence Leaves Colts Game After Visiting 49ers Kneel During Anthem
Viralz Today - Vice President Mike Pence walked out of an N.F.L. game in his home state of Indiana on Sunday after nearly two dozen players on the visiting San Francisco 49ers knelt during the playing of the 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,” Mr. Pence wrote on Twitter after the Indianapolis Colts and 49ers had begun their game.
Mr. Pence appeared to be following orders. In a separate tweet on Sunday, President Trump said he asked the vice president “to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country.”
A pool reporter traveling with the vice president had asked to accompany him into the stadium but was told to remain in a van outside because the vice president might leave the game early.
Mr. Pence’s departure, which he documented in a series of tweets, may reignite a firestorm started by Mr. Trump, who said last month that any “son of a bitch” who refused to stand for the anthem should be “fired.” His comments led hundreds of players to protest during the anthem.
Since then, most players have returned to standing during the anthem. Handfuls of players, though, continue to kneel, especially on the 49ers. The protests began last year when the former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the anthem to draw attention to to racial oppression of African-Americans, particularly police brutality.
Mr. Pence issued a statement explaining his departure.
“At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve and resilience, now, more than ever, we should rally around our flag and everything that unites us. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask N.F.L. players to respect the flag and our national anthem.”
Source : www.nytimes.com
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