U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence left an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Indianapolis after about a dozen San Francisco players took a knee during the national anthem.
The former Indiana governor flew in so he could watch Peyton Manning’s jersey retirement ceremony. But Pence didn’t stick around long.
Pence said on Twitter: “I left today’s Colts game because POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.”
I stand with @POTUS Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/B0zP5M41MQ
— @VP
The White House also issued a statement from Pence, in which he says Americans should rally around the flag. Pence said: “I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem.”
Some NFL players have been kneeling during the national anthem to bring more attention to the killings of black men by police officers and other social injustices.
San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid said Pence’s departure looked like “a PR stunt.”
“He knew our team has had the most players protest, he knew that we were probably going to do it again,” Reid said. “This is what systemic oppression looks like: man with power comes to the game, tweets a couple things out and leaves the game in an attempt to thwart our efforts.”
Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem before the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/Associated Press)
Tthe 49ers have been among the most visible protesters in the league. Last year, former quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the movement to kneel or sit during the anthem, and Reid and other teammates backed him up on and off the field.
Trump tweeted about the incident on Sunday, saying he had asked Pence to leave if any players engaged in protest.
I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.
— @realDonaldTrump
Aides to the vice-president did not respond to questions on whether he had planned to make the public walk-out in the game against the 49ers. Pence’s trip to Las Vegas and Indianapolis was announced on Friday.
After leaving the game, Pence departed Indianapolis for a three-day trip to California that includes three fundraisers and an event on the president’s push for a tax overhaul.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy declined to comment on Pence’s walkout. The Colts also had no comment, and after their 26-23 overtime victory, Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano steered clear of the issue.
Pence is a noted sports fan, and this was the second major event he had attended in his home state since taking office in January. He also attended May’s Indianapolis 500, a family tradition.
Pence flew in on Saturday after a statue of Manning was unveiled, an event attended by a number of luminaries including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Pence spent most of Saturday honouring victims of the Las Vegas shooting before returning to his home state.
This story was originally published on CBC News. To read the rest of this news worthy story, please visit http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pence-leaves-nfl-game-players-take-a-knee-protest-1.4346076?cmp=rss.