President Trump is mostly a fan of the NFL’s new national anthem policy — except for the rule that allows players to have the option of remaining in the locker room.
Speaking to Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” Trump said owners did the right thing Wednesday by forcing players who are on the sideline to stand during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“I think that’s good,” Trump said. “I don’t think people should be staying in locker rooms, but still I think it’s good. You have to stand proudly for the national anthem or you shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there. Maybe you shouldn’t be in the country. You have to stand proudly for the national anthem and the NFL owners did the right thing if that’s what they’ve done.”
“You have to stand proudly for the National Anthem. You shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there. Maybe they shouldn’t be in the country…the NFL owners did the right thing” -President @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/bt36t4EX5u
— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) May 24, 2018
Trump, a vocal critic of Colin Kaepernick and other players who kneel, didn’t take credit for the change.
“I think the people pushed it forward,” Trump said. “This was not me. I brought it out. I think the people pushed it forward. This country’s very smart. We have very smart people. That’s something ideally could have been taken when it first started, it would have been a lot easier. But if they did that, they’re doing the right thing.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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