President Donald J. Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump attend Superbowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Official White House photo by Daniel Torok)
The stunt involving a protest at an athletic event, ballgame or other event, where participants snub the national anthem by sitting, kneeling, vanishing, or another act of disrespect, has been around for years.
It was made a cause celebre a decade ago by Colin Kaeperick, who was with the San Francisco 49ers when he launched his personal hate campaign against the national institution by sitting or kneeling during that time frame ahead of games.
He, of course, soon left the National Football League and never returned.
But now several similar incidents have prompted President Donald Trump to blast those protesters.
He was triggered by the stunt delivered by LeBron James, of National Basketball Association fame, who appeared to be practicing his golf swing during the anthem.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE. LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” the president posted on social media.
Reuters reported Trump shared a clip showing James “swinging his arms in a warmup-type stretch and performing basketball shooting movements.”
A similar situation also developed with the WNBA during games involving the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries.
Players repeatedly failed to appear on court for the anthem, or ostentatiously left the court during the anthem.
According to USA Today, the players pulled their stunts, so far, during the league’s finals series.
“Videos circulating on social media show players jogging off the floor moments before the anthem began at Chase Center in San Francisco and returning shortly after it concluded,” the report said.
The actions attracted criticisms from “commentators and websites,” the report said.
In fact, the report noted that players for “many” of the WNBA teams have elected “to not be on the court when the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ is typically played.”
The two teams involved said that’s their “routine.”
Sports league requirements for players vary.
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[ H/T WorldNetDaily ]
