Charles Barkley condemns ‘ignorant folks’ in Alabama who applauded Trump remarks

Video: On @NFLonCBS #CharlesBarkley: “Hurts me that those ignorant folks in Alabama would applaud something so stupid” #NationalAnthem #TTT pic.twitter.com/lKPd5L7hj4

— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) September 24, 2017

Charles Barkley slammed people in Alabama who applauded President Trump’s call for firing NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, saying it hurts him that “those ignorant folks in Alabama would applaud something so stupid.”

“The president of the United States should never use the word ‘SOB,’ ” Barkley, the Turner NBA analyst and former all-star, said on CBS’s NFL pregame show, “The NFL Today.”

{mosads}“That’s just 100 percent inappropriate,” he continued. “I’m embarrassed because he said the speech in Alabama and got a rousing reception when he said those things.

“So it hurts me that those ignorant folks in Alabama would applaud something so stupid.”

Barkley, 54, was born in Mobile, Ala., and starred at Auburn University. He once announced his intentions to run for governor of Alabama in 2014, but didn’t formally proceed.

Trump at a rally for Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.) late last week attacked NFL players who kneel during the anthem.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. He is fired,’ ” Trump said.

“If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast,” Trump tweeted early Sunday before the games. “Fire or suspend!”

The president’s comments continued on Monday morning, with Trump tweeting that fans who booed NFL players who refused to stand during the national anthem were demanding respect for the country’s flag.

Many people booed the players who kneeled yesterday (which was a small percentage of total). These are fans who demand respect for our Flag!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017