President Donald Trump has three suggestions to fix the NFL: stop disciplining players for hard hits, boycott games when players kneel during the national anthem, and then fire those players.
Trump offered the advice during a rally in Huntsville, Ala., Friday night, a day after researchers from Boston University revealed that former New England Patriots tight end and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez had a severe case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked with violent and erratic behavior found in more than 100 former NFL players.
“15 yards, throw him out of the game. They had that last week. I watched for a couple of minutes,” Trump said. “Two guys just really beautiful tackle, boom, 15 yards. The referee gets on television, his wife is sitting at home, she’s so proud of him — they’re ruining the game. Right? They’re ruining the game. Hey look, that’s what they want to do. They want to hit, but it is hurting the game.”
Read More: This Is Everything Donald Trump Said in His Speech About the NFL
The President then turned his attention to the act of kneeling during the national anthem, a form of protest several NFL players have taken since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick did last year to protest the treatment of black people by police. Trump suggested attendees of NFL games counter the protest with one of their own.
“The only thing you could do better is if you see it, even if it’s one player, leave the stadium, I guarantee things will stop. Things will stop,” he said. “Just pick up and leave. Pick up and leave. Not the same game anymore anyway.”
Trump then called on NFL team owners to strike down the act once and for all: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!”
In turn, a number of NFL players slammed Trump on social media for his comments.
Trump stay in ur place… football have nothing to do wit u smh
— Zach Brown (@ZachBrown_55) September 23, 2017
Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh.
— Ebron85 (@Ebron85) September 23, 2017
Trump!! 😔😔😔😔😔😔😔
— Thomas Davis (@ThomasDavisSDTM) September 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/_RMatthews/status/911409624640901120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FUS%2Fnfl-players-blast-trump-kneeling-players-fired%2Fstory%3Fid%3D50037845
It's a shame and disgrace when you have the President of the US calling citizens of the country sons of a bitches.
— Bishop Sankey (@BishopSankey) September 23, 2017
Smh! Gives more reason https://t.co/TyVCJgQK0L
— T.J. Ward (@BossWard43) September 23, 2017
— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshh) September 23, 2017
Early Saturday morning, the NFL released a statement in response to Trump’s remarks.
“The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “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,” Goodell added.
Trump later returned to Twitter, adding that “if a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars” that person “should not be allowed to disrespect” the flag or country.
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….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
