NFL players union vows Donald Trump comments will not deter stand on protests, safety

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Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: 'Get that son-of-a-b**** off the field' While in Huntsville, Alabama, President Trump said, 'Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'get that son-of-a-b**** off the field right now, out. He's fired.''

The head of the NFL Players Association, reacting to President Trump’s comments about player protests and safety, on Saturday morning vowed his union “will never back down” when challenged on those issues.

“Whether or not Roger (Goodell) and the owners will speak for themselves about their views on player rights and their commitment to player safety remains to be seen,” DeMaurice Smith said in a statement on Twitter. “This union, however, will never back down when it comes to protecting the constitutional rights of our players as citizens as well as their safety as men who compete in a game that exposes them to great risks.”

NFL Players Association president Eric Winston also took to Twitter on Saturday to speak out against Trump's comments.

"I am extremely disappointed in the statements made by the President last night," Winston said. "The comments were a slap in the face to the civil rights heroes of the past and present, soldiers who have spilled blood in countless wars to uphold the values of this great nation and American people of all races, ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations who seek civil progress as a means to make this country, and this world, a better place."

Friday night in Alabama, President Trump lashed out at NFL players for their protests of the national anthem, becoming profane and saying he would like to see teams punish those who take a knee during the pregame song.

"Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a b---- off the field right now. Out. He's fired. He's fired!”

The audience then chanted "USA!”

"You know, some owner's going to do that," Trump continued. "He's going to say, 'That guy who disrespects our flag, he's fired.'"

He encouraged fans to walk out of stadiums if they see a player taking a knee in protest.

Trump doubled down Saturday afternoon, tweeting: "If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL or other leagues, he or she should not be able to disrespect ... our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!"

If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

...our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

Trump did not mention any players’ names.

Rev. Jesse Jackson joined the conversation and called on all players, coaches and fans to take a knee in protest "in defense of what we stand for as a nation."

His full statement:

"President Trump’s crude name calling is beneath the dignity of the office – way, way below. Attacking an American citizen for expressing his or her political opinions in a legal, peaceful, non-violent fashion as Colin Kaepernick did last football season is a chilling commentary on the current state of affairs and discourse in Washington. We the people deserve so much better than this. The president’s remarks misrepresent our flag and the First Amendment. On Sunday, NFL players, coaches and fans should take a knee in protest and in defense of what we stand for as a nation."

Trump also lashed out at game officials for enforcing rules designed to protect players from dangerous hits, saying penalties are “ruining the game.” His sharp words come in the same week it was revealed that former NFL player and convicted murderer, Aaron Hernandez, who committed suicide in jail, had the debilitating brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). According to the Mayo Clinic, CTE is “likely caused by repeated head traumas. … It has been found in the brains of people who played contact sports, such as football, as well as others.”

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More: President Trump: NFL teams should fire players who protest national anthem

Trump made no reference to dangers, only penalties.

“Fifteen yards, throw him out of the game,” he said according to video of the speech. “They had that last week. I watched for a couple of minutes. Two guys just really beautiful tackle, boom, 15 yards. The referee gets on television, his wife is sitting at home, she’s so proud of him — they’re ruining the game. Right? They’re ruining the game. Hey look, that’s what they want to do. They want to hit, but it is hurting the game.”

Contributing: Nashville Tennessean; Alysha Tsuji

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