Trump cancels Super Bowl team’s visit as most players stay away
NEW YORK: US President Donald Trump was forced to cancel the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles’ White House visit as most players of the winning team decided to stay home due to the controversy over standing for the National Anthem at NFL games.
Trump statement said: “The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honour of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.
The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better.”
Similarly, last year the basketball champions Golden State Warriors declined an invitation from the president to visit the White House after winning the 2017 championship, but presidents typically honour their invitations to championship teams.
The US president typically invites the champions of major professional and college sports to the White House for a visit as a part of their victory celebrations.
However, the flag protest movement was initially started by Colin Kaepernick, who was formerly with the San Francisco 49ers. He drew national attention for refusing to stand during “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to kickoff.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour,” Kaepernick told the National; Football League (NFL).
The new NFL policy gives players the option of remaining in the locker room during the playing of the anthem if they do not wish to comply.
Trump later tweeted, “The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we cancelled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!” The Eagles have not stayed in the locker room as a means of protesting the anthem.
Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2018