April 19, 2024

Trump just disrespected the Philadelphia Eagles with an unprecedented move

As President Trump roll outs increasingly disastrous policies that are sure to damage the United States for generations to come, he continues to lean into the national discourse on the culture war, distracting from the very real problems he is creating by ginning up imagined grievances and hammering away at societal wedge issues.

One of the most enduring of his inane hobbyhorses is his insistence that NFL players stand during the national anthem, a clear attack on the First Amendment rights of players who would rather kneel in protest of police brutality against people of color.

Recently, the NFL passed a rule requiring players to stand, but that doesn’t mean Trump will be dropping the contentious conversation any time soon. The rhetoric plays far too well with the more bigoted elements of his base for him to simply let it drop from his arsenal.

Today, the White House released a statement from Trump in which he attacked the Philadelphia Eagles, who defeated the New England Patriots and their Trump-supporting quarterback 41-33 to become the winners of the 2018 Super Bowl. 

As is customary, the team will visit the White House for a congratulatory meeting with the sitting president.

Several players have already stated they have no intention of going, with some stating that they don’t wish to show support for Trump. Wide Receiver Torrey Smith previously made his feelings towards Trump clear on CNN.

“For me, it’s not just about politics. If I told you that I was invited to a party by an individual I believe is sexist or has no respect for women or I told you that this individual has said offensive things towards many minority groups, and I don’t feel comfortably by it.” said Smith.

“This individual also called my peers and my friends SOB’s, you would understand why I wouldn’t want to go to that party. Why is it any different when the person has title of President of the United States?” he added.

Never one to handle criticism or dissent gracefully, Trump had his administration release a statement today in which the White House disingenuously claimed that the full Eagles team will not be visiting because “they disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”

Of course, those players who wish not to attend are not trying to disrespect the military or the country, but rather are drawing issue with the president attacking NFL players’ right to free speech and protest.

Rather than accept a smaller delegation of players, Trump has canceled the invite altogether. Instead, he will be holding an obnoxious event to “honor” the country, which probably means stroke his own ego. He and his cronies intend to “loudly and proudly play the National Anthem.”

In other words, Trump has chosen to make the day all about himself.

The announcement is petty and an act of disrespect to Philadelphia and the entire state of Pennsylvania, a swing state which narrowly went for Trump in the 2016 election.

The Eagles have been trying to win a Super Bowl for decades and their fans are widely known as the most passionate and outspoken in the entire sport. Trump could not have picked a worse group of fans to insult.

Twitter is being less than kind to his decision.

https://twitter.com/MaureenR8209/status/1003788948882092032

Regardless of Trump’s announcement, Philadelphia finally has the victory they deserve and not even our whiny president can change that.

Follow Rob Haffey on Facebook and Twitter.