Fox News is under fire Tuesday after the network aired images of the Philadelphia Eagles kneeling in prayer while an anchor discussed President Trump canceling the team’s invitation to the White House.
Critics say the package makes it appear as if the Eagles are protesting during the national anthem — with Eagles tight end Zach Ertz calling the piece “propaganda.”
President @realDonaldTrump says Philadelphia @Eagles won’t attend @WhiteHouse ceremony amid national anthem dispute https://t.co/QOOUCg68Gd pic.twitter.com/CRHsoE6ArX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 5, 2018
This can’t be serious…. Praying before games with my teammates, well before the anthem, is being used for your propaganda?! Just sad, I feel like you guys should have to be better than this… https://t.co/kYeyH2zXdK
— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) June 5, 2018
Fox News apologized Tuesday morning.
“During our report about President Trump canceling the Philadelphia Eagles trip to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win, we showed unrelated footage of players kneeling in prayer.” (1 of 2)
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 5, 2018
The network issued the apology after fans took to Twitter to voice their displeasure:
Fox News is trying to pass off B-roll footage of Eagles players praying as them kneeling in protest. It really doesn’t matter what you do if you don’t have the right skin color.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 5, 2018
This is what Fox News propaganda looks like.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) June 5, 2018
Clearly the Philadelphia Eagles players in these clips are kneeling to pray. Fox, however, makes it seem like they are kneeling for the anthem, which is a blatant lie! pic.twitter.com/SNjW1Ndbc9
The pictures highlighted in this segment are of Eagles players kneeling in prayer, not in protest during the anthem. Intentionally deceptive or just plain ignorant of Fox News. Take your pick. https://t.co/zPsouALh6D
— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) June 5, 2018
The Eagles did not have a player take a knee during the national anthem during the regular season or playoffs last season.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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