Robert Kraft ‘Disappointed' with President's Recent NFL Comments
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New England Patriots Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft is speaking out about the recent comments made by President Donald Trump over criticizing NFL players who choose to protest during the national anthem.
New England Patriots Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft is speaking out about the recent comments made by President Donald Trump over criticizing NFL players who chose to protest during the national anthem.
Kraft released a statement Sunday saying he was deeply disappointed by the tone of Trump's comments.
Nearly 20 players from the Patriots took a knee during the playing of Sunday's anthem, as a loud chorus of boos rained down from the Gillette Stadium crowd both before and after the anthem’s conclusion.
Among the Patriots who took a knee were Devin McCourty, Trey Flowers, Brandin Cooks, Brandon Bolden, James White, Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore, Alan Branch, Duron Harmon and Malcom Brown.
Tom Brady could be seen linking arms with several players, including Philip Dorsett and Matthew Slater. Slater was inactive for the game.
Trump said during a rally Friday that NFL players should be fired for kneeling during the national anthem.
"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you'd say, 'Get that son of a b---- off the field right now. Out! He's fired,'" Trump said.
FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the New England Patriots kneel during the National Anthem before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the New England Patriots kneel on the sidelines during the National Anthem before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the New England Patriots kneel on the sidelines as the National Anthem is played before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the Indianapolis Colts stand and kneel for the national anthem prior to the start of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Baltimore Ravens players kneel for the American National anthem during the NFL International Series match between Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on September 24, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the Cleveland Browns stand and kneel during the national anthem before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 18: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers and Eli Harold #58 kneel during the National Anthem prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers kneels on the sideline during the anthem prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 15: Mark Ingram #22 of the New Orleans Saints kneels during the National Anthem before a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on August 15, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 25: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the Indianapolis Colts kneels and raises his fist during the National Anthem before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 18: Arian Foster #29, Kenny Stills #10 and Michael Thomas #31 of the Miami Dolphins kneel during the national anthem before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos kneels down during the playing of the National Anthem prior to the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
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CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 21: A group of Cleveland Browns players kneel in a circle in protest during the national anthem prior to a preseason game against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 21, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Free safety Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 kneel during the national anthem before the start of the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the Cleveland Browns stand and kneel during the national anthem before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
He followed with two tweets on Saturday saying, "If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!"
"NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S."
The tweets caused a firestorm among NFL players, including Patriots Devin McCourty and Nate Solder.
Ppl said it was disrespectful not going to the White House..I’m sure they are quiet about us being called “sons of bitches” 🤦🏿♂️(D-Mac)
Quarterback Tom Brady, who is also friends with the president, seems to be neutral based on an Instagram post.
Kraft has been friends with the president for some time and even gave Trump a customized New England Patriots Super Bowl LI ring following the team's visit to the White House in April.
