San Francisco 49ers CEO: Trump comments ‘contrary’ to what US stands for

CEO of the San Francisco 49ers Jed York called out President Trump for his “callous and offensive” comments that NFL owners should fire any “son of a b—-” players on their teams who kneel during the national anthem before games or disrespect the American flag. 

“The callous and offensive comments made by the President are contradictory to what this great country stands for. Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens to spark conversation and action to address social injustice,” York said in a statement Saturday.

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— Jed York (@JedYork) September 23, 2017

York followed suit after NFL team owners of the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins each released statements on Saturday pushing back against Trump’s inflammatory remarks from an Alabama rally for a U.S. senate candidate on Friday. 

Trump told the crowd they should leave in protest if they see a player kneeling during the anthem.

“When people like yourselves turn on television and you see those people taking the knee when they are playing our great national anthem – the only thing you could do better is if you see it, even if it’s one player, leave the stadium,” Trump said. “I guarantee things will stop.”

Trump doubled down on his comments in a pair of tweets Saturday, saying NFL players who protest the flag or anthem “should find something else to do.” 

Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first began the controversy last year when he began kneeling during the national anthem before football games to in a statement against racial injustice and police brutality. 

“We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world. The San Francisco 49ers will continue to work toward bringing communities, and those who serve them, closer together,” York said.