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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFootball legend Terry Bradshaw RIPS into Trump
Its hard to believe that Im 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 Presidentthe President of the United States came out attacking NFL players for them exercising the Freedom of Speech.
While I dont condone the protesting during our National Anthem, THIS IS AMERICA!
If our country stands for anything, folks, whatits freedom. People died for that freedom. Im not sure if our president understands those rightsthat every American has the right to speak out, and also to protest.
Believe methese 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
Link to tweet
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https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/9/24/1701080/-Football-legend-Terry-Bradshaw-RIPS-into-Trump
MyOwnPeace
(16,928 posts)coming from "Three Bricks Shy of a Load" star - and awesome quarterback of the 70's Steelers.
Terry has had some "interesting" times in his life - great to see him stand up for the players in this issue!
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)but that's not a criticism of Mr. Bradshaw.
moriah
(8,311 posts)There are federal labor laws regarding specifically allowing protests if they are related in some way to improving working conditions. Trump's utter disregard for the safety of players in that speech when 70% of those players are black is VERY related to the entire Black Lives Matter movement -- obviously our President doesn't care about their safety if it interferes with the mostly white audience's enjoyment of modern gladiator entertainment.
Players who choose to kneel may still be retaliated against at contract renewal, but after Trump's remarks denigrating player safety, if the League tries to suppress these protests they could be sued under those laws.
In other words, Trump is not only an insensitive racist asshole, but ratfucked the NFL by directly linking the current protests to occupational safety for players. Black lives matter -- in the streets and on the playing field. Even if a judge were to say that kneeling prior to this was unrelated to occupational safety, Trump has made that connection in future protests clear by his own remarks.