SPORTS stars in the United States have been swift to condemn Donald Trump’s call for the sacking of players who refuse to stand while the national anthem is played before NFL matches.
Some players have kneeled or raised a fist to protest again police brutality against black people. Comments made by Trump during a speech on Friday night and a series of tweets over the weekend prompted basketball star LeBron James to call the president a “bum”.
Trump started by announcing that NBA champion Stephen Curry, the popular two-time MVP for the Golden State Warriors, would not be welcome at the White House for the commemorative visit traditionally made by championship teams. Trump said: “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”
Later, Trump reiterated what he said at a rally in Alabama – that NFL players who kneel for the national anthem should be fired. He also called on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to tell them to stand.
The Warriors said it was made clear to them that they were not welcome at the White House. Curry had said he did not want to go anyway, but a collective decision had not been made before Saturday.
James tweeted a post that Twitter officials said was quickly shared many more times than any other he has sent. It said: “U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”
Curry appreciated James’s strong stance. “That’s a pretty strong statement,” he said. “I think it’s bold, it’s courageous for any guy to speak up, let alone a guy that has as much to lose as LeBron does and other notable figures in the league. We all have to kind of stand as one the best we can.”
Curry added that he does not believe Trump “respects the majority of Americans in this country”.
James also released a video saying Trump has tried to divide the country. “He’s now using sports as the platform to try to divide us,” James said. “We all know how much sports brings us together ... It’s not something I can be quiet about.”
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