Stars of Hollywood and the sports world tweeted support on Saturday for pro athletes following Donald Trump’s recent remarks attacking top athletes who have protested during the national anthem and rejected visits to his White House.
Actor Jeffrey Wright was among those who spoke up, tweeting, “Kneel so hard Sunday the earth shakes.”
Kneel so hard Sunday the earth shakes.
— Jeffrey Wright 🥜 (@jfreewright) September 23, 2017
“Big Sick” star Kumail Nanjiani wrote, “Historically, taking on Steph Curry or Lebron separately has resulted in failure. Taking on them together? Well that’s just stupid.”
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/911631390138961921
Comedian Daniel Tosh tweeted, “Steph curry is invited to my house, if he promises to take off his ugly under armour shoes in the house!”
https://twitter.com/danieltosh/status/911607771908280321
“And I doubt he’s man enough to call any of those players a son of a bitch to their face…” tweeted Houston Rockets Point Guard Chris Paul.
And I doubt he's man enough to call any of those players a son of a bitch to their face…
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
All-pro cornerback Richard Sherman weighed in and tweeted, “The behavior of the President is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. If you do not Condemn this divisive Rhetoric you are Condoning it!!”
The behavior of the President is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. If you do not Condemn this divisive Rhetoric you are Condoning it!!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 23, 2017
“I can’t take anything our Celebrity in Chief says seriously. He’s a real life clown/troll,” tweeted Cincinnati Bengals safety George Iloka.
I can’t take anything our Celebrity in Chief says seriously. He’s a real life clown/troll 🤡
— George Iloka (@George_iloka) September 23, 2017
“A #POTUS who’s name alone creates division and anger. Who’s words inspire dissension and hatred can’t possibly ‘Make America Great Again,’” tweeted retired NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
https://twitter.com/kobebryant/status/911633708230176768
Trump spoke at a rally in Alabama on Friday night for Sen. Luther Strange, who is seeking election to a full term after being appointed to the seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The president paused to talk about professional football players who participate in protests against police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.
Specifically, Trump suggested that the NFL should fire them.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out! He’s fired?’” Trump said. “He’s fired! You know, some owner is gonna do that. He’s gonna say, ‘That guy that disrespects our flag, he’s fired.’”
Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has led the movement to take a knee in protest. It is widely believed that he is being blacklisted by NFL owners for his political views, as he has not been signed to another team since being dropped by San Francisco.
Here are a handful of tweets from athletes who are in support of Kaepernick and “his right as an American citizen to protest.”
Trump stay in ur place… football have nothing to do wit u smh
— Zach Brown (@ZachBrown_55) September 23, 2017
Smh! Gives more reason https://t.co/TyVCJgQK0L
— T.J. Ward (@BossWard43) September 23, 2017
Continue to use your voices and your platforms for racial equality and to stop injustices in our communities. This is bigger than us!!! ✊🏿
— Michael Thomas (@Michael31Thomas) 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
#Kaepernick we riding with you bro ✊🏾
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) September 23, 2017
Unbelievable what he just said!! https://t.co/K5H58E3h43
— FILFL (@CecilShortsIII) September 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/BishopSankey/status/911412085292183552