Bob Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and an alleged personal friend of President Trump is “deeply disappointed” by the tone of the president’s comments about NFL players who “take a knee” during the playing of the national anthem at the start of NFL games.
A statement Kraft issued seems to take special offense at “the tone” of Trump’s remarks.
We believe that can be a fair comment and a view that many people might have. Certainly Mr. Kraft has probably never heard such shocking words in all the time he’s likely spent in NFL locker rooms.
But the interesting, if not puzzling conclusion he draws doesn’t seem to make a coherent connection:
“There is no greater unifier in this country than sports, and unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics. I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal. Our players are intelligent, thoughtful and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful.”
Well, lemme see here. Kraft says sports is a “great(er) unifier”, and “nothing more divisive than politics”.
He thus concludes that politicians could learn a lot about “teamwork” and “working together toward a common goal” which presumably he means, as taught by sports.
Really Mr. Kraft! With such wonderful qualities to teach, why do sports figures feel they should inject themselves into the “divisive” political arena by using their pristine and holy institution?
Insulting our national symbols and the millions of Americans who cherish and honor the sacrifices of so many which has made this nation the most desired place on the planet in which to live, which those symbols stand for, is “teaching teamwork and working together toward a common goal??
And, Mr. Kraft, President Trump neither said nor implied anything about denying those “intelligent players” their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful.”
Those players can do all they legally want to do to ‘affect social change’ but to use their sport as their platform, supported by the fans and even in some cases tax dollars to do it does nothing to ‘teach teamwork’.
They are certainly free to carry on their quest for ‘social change’ as private citizens, but there’s nothing admirable about foisting their political views on people who paid to see them play football.
And Mr. Kraft, if you want to give these guys even more money in addition to their inflated salaries, feel free! DLH
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Kraft’s full statement
(as reported,https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1381478):
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement Sunday regarding the comments made by President Donald Trump on Friday.
At a rally in Alabama, Trump implored NFL owners to fire any player who protests during the national anthem. He told owners to “get that son of a bitch off the field,” a statement that has since been condemned by players, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and the NFLPA.
Kraft joined that chorus Sunday with the following statement:
I am deeply disappointed by th
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement Sunday regarding the comments made by President Donald Trump on Friday.
At a rally in Alabama, Trump implored NFL owners to fire any player who protests during the national anthem. He told owners to “get that son of a bitch off the field,” a statement that has since been condemned by players, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and the NFLPA.
Kraft joined that chorus Sunday with the following statement:
I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the President on Friday. I am proud to be associated with so many players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our communities. Their efforts, both on and off the field, help bring people together and make our community stronger.
There is no greater unifier in this country than sports, and unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics. I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal. Our players are intelligent, thoughtful and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful.
Trump and Kraft have referred to each other as great friends, and their relationship has gone so far as to include Kraft donating $1 million to Trump’s inauguration celebrations and gifting the president a Super Bowl ring after the Patriots’ championship victory in February.
Kraft is the first of the more than handful of owners who have financially supported Trump to speak out against his comments on NFL players
e tone of the comments made by the President on Friday. I am proud to be associated with so many players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our communities. Their efforts, both on and off the field, help bring people together and make our community stronger.
There is no greater unifier in this country than sports, and unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics. I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal. Our players are intelligent, thoughtful and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful.
Trump and Kraft have referred to each other as great friends, and their relationship has gone so far as to include Kraft donating $1 million to Trump’s inauguration celebrations and gifting the president a Super Bowl ring after the Patriots’ championship victory in February.
Kraft is the first of the more than handful of owners who have financially supported Trump to speak out against his comments on NFL players
