President Donald Trump’s “get that son of a b–h off the field” comment Friday night about NFL players who take a knee during the national anthem started a fiery debate on social media with some calling for the protection of free speech and others calling for an NFL boycott.
During a speech at a rally for Alabama Senate candidate Luther Strange, the president suggested the NFL fire players who protest police brutality by refusing to stand during the national anthem. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag,” Trump said, “to say ‘get that son of a b–h off the field’ right now, out! He’s fired?’”
Over the course of the 12 hours that followed, Twitter was hit with comments from both sides of the argument that resulted in #TakeAKnee trending. Many continue to call the protest disrespect for the flag and the country it represents.
“Don’t take American money, then disrespect the people paying you outrageous salaries, to play a game. Go ahead and kneel. We won’t be watching! #BoycottNFL,” one tweet reads. Here are a handful of the others who’ve had their fill of those who kneel:
#TakeAKnee
You may kneel down in protest against your country, & against those who keep us safe but don't count on me standing among u ever— B-l-a-n-k (@ages_sages) September 23, 2017
#TakeAKnee Thank god those heroes in WW1 & WW2 etc. didn't take a knee otherwise we would all be talking German or worst yet not at all.
— Richard (@Richard14483002) September 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/TulsaTrader/status/911624030653992960
https://twitter.com/AltairAraujoJr/status/911623831705604098
https://twitter.com/tsimsparker/status/911623797425438721
https://twitter.com/AmericanLuvSong/status/911624037218095108
On the flip side, there are others who spoke up in opposition to the POTUS’ statement.
“Donald Trump’s remark are a powerful example of why we have the First Amendment. We kneel with Colin Kaepernick,” wrote Zac Huerta in reference to the former San Francisco 49er quarterback. Here are a few of the others:
https://twitter.com/dirtysunboy/status/911624262334636032
https://twitter.com/serooj255/status/911624250964013057
https://twitter.com/ihave5broats/status/911624244664180736
https://twitter.com/tictacbergerac/status/911624223268929536
https://twitter.com/stinglikeabijou/status/911624108990959616
I love how ppl say that it disrespects veterans to #TakeAKnee yet the nazis protest doesn't disrespect the millions of veterans from WWII
— Lady Elaine Bomberger-Schmotzer (@LaneyBogs08) September 23, 2017