President Trump’s “get that son of a b—h off the field” approach to dealing with athletes who kneel during the national anthem to protest against police brutality was countered with a much more civil solution by veteran sportscaster Bob Costas on Friday night’s “Real Time With Bill Maher.”
Although Trump’s declaration at an Alabama rally Friday was seen by some critics as harsh, Costas told Maher that, in effect, NFL owners have collectively given that very message to former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. It is widely believed that he is being blacklisted for his political views and, since being dropped by San Francisco, he has not been signed to another team.
“The anthem doesn’t just represent the nations flaws or it doesn’t just represent the military or the police; it represents the nation’s ideals as well,” Costas told Maher. “That’s what makes this a little bit complicated.”
Also Read: Bill Maher Says 'Fast-Talking City Slicker' Trump Is an 'A-hole, But Not a Hick' (Video)
If Costas owned a team — which he doesn’t – he said it would begin with a talk with the stadium’s announcer.
“I would have the P.A. guy say, ‘Please stand for our national anthem and in recognition of the ideals it represents,'” explained Costas. “That would then encompass conservatives, liberals and everyone in between. I think that would make it more palatable.”
Watch Maher’s interview with Costas above.
Colin Kaepernick Controversy: 8 Stars Weigh In, From Donald Trump to Spike Lee
-
Mike Morbeck, Getty Images
-
Getty Images
-
Getty Images
-
Getty Images
-
Twitter
-
ESPN
-
TheWrap
-
CBS
-
Twitter
-
Getty Images
