Charles Barkley: Few NFL players were protesting until ‘Trump opened his big old mouth’

NBA legend Charles Barkley blamed President Trump for escalating the controversy over protests during the national anthem, saying that the protests were not a big issue “before Donald Trump opened his big old mouth.” 

“Before Donald Trump opened his big old mouth there were only about 15, 20 guys kneeling and then he called those guys SOBs, which was inappropriate and 100 percent wrong,” Barkley said in a news conference Tuesday with other former NBA stars, according to Newsday.

{mosads}Trump gave profane remarks on players who kneel for the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at games, calling the protests unpatriotic and urging team owners to fire or suspend players who take part. 

Barkley pointed to the long legacy of peaceful protests in the U.S., citing protests led by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and boxing star Muhammad Ali, who protested the draft during the Vietnam War. “There have always been protests,” Barkley said. 

The Hall of Famer said he hopes the NBA follows the NFL’s lead by meeting with players and team owners to discuss new outlets for speaking out against issues of racial injustice and police brutality. A meeting of NFL officials led by Commissioner Roger Goodell decided the league would not force players to stand for the national anthem. 

“I hope the NBA players do that, work with the NBA, work with the teams, go back in their communities and put money and time and effort back in their communities instead of worrying about kneeling and who’s not standing,” Barkley said. 

“It’s not about the flag. Everybody loves the American flag. Nobody’s trying to disrespect soldiers,” Barkley said in reference to Trump’s stance on the issue that the protests were unpatriotic and disrespectful toward veterans of war.