Sunday football games see wave of player protests in response to Trump

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Sunday football games see wave of player protests in response to Trump By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff on 09.26.

1 Sunday football games see wave of player protests in response to Trump By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 921 Level 1200L Several New England Patriots players kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, September 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo by: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer President Donald Trump criticized players who protest during the national anthem. His statements created a mass increase in such activism during Sunday football games. More than 100 NFL players were sitting or kneeling during the anthem, others raising their fists, and whole teams stood with locked arms to display unity. One team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, stayed in the locker room during "The Star-Spangled Banner." More Than 100 NFL Players Respond Last week across the entire NFL, only four players knelt or sat, and two stood with their fists raised. In the nine early games Sunday, AP news reporters counted 102 players kneeling or sitting, and at least three raising their fists. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 1

2 The reactions even happened across the Atlantic in London, England. About two dozen players, including Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette, took a knee during the playing of the national anthem before the start of the teams' game at Wembley Stadium in London. Other players on both teams and Jaguars owner Shad Khan remained locked arm-in-arm throughout the playing of the national anthem and "God Save The Queen." No players were kneeling during the British anthem. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first athlete to refuse to stand during the national anthem to protest police treatment of people of color last year. This season, no team has signed him. Some supporters believe NFL owners are avoiding him because of the controversy. President's Weekend Rants Stir Up Athlete Anger That protest movement ballooned Sunday following Trump's weekend rant that began with him calling for NFL protesters to be fired. It continued Saturday with the president rescinding, or taking back, a White House invitation for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. The team had said they were considering not attending. By Sunday, it was one of the main topics of conversation on social media and around the country. In Charlotte, North Carolina, more than a dozen New Orleans Saints players sat during the anthem, including star running back Adrian Peterson. In Buffalo, New York, more than half the Denver Broncos knelt during the anthem and a handful of Buffalo Bills sat or knelt. In Minneapolis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson knelt with the rest of the team locking arms during the "Star Spangled Banner." The Minnesota Vikings also locked arms. Although no Vikings were spotted taking a knee during the anthem, at least a dozen players sprinted into one end zone and took a knee with head bowed, before the crowd was asked to stand. On Sunday, NFL owners continued issuing statements condemning the president's divisive words. Players took part in displays of unity across the league. The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to stay in their locker room for the national anthem before their game against the Chicago Bears. Divisive Rhetoric From Trump Sports hasn't been immune from America's deep political divides. However, the president's delving into the NFL protests started by Kaepernick brought new attention. After the Warriors' White House invite was rescinded, the National Hockey League's current champion Pittsburgh Penguins announced they did accept a White House invitation from Trump. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 2

3 In a statement released Sunday morning, the Penguins said they respect the office of the president and "the long tradition of championship team visiting the White House." The Penguins were honored by Barack Obama after winning the Stanley Cup in 2016, and previously by George H.W. Bush in the early 1990s. Wading into issues of race and politics, Trump's comments in a Friday night speech in Huntsville, Alabama, and a series of Saturday tweets drew sharp responses from some of the nation's top athletes. For example, NBA star LeBron James called the president a "bum." Hours later, Major League Baseball saw its first player take a knee during the national anthem. "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you'd say, 'Get that [expletive] off the field right now. Out! He's fired,'" Trump said to loud applause Friday night at a rally in Huntsville. He echoed these comments over the next two days. "If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!" the president said in a Sunday morning tweet. Trump also mocked the NFL's crackdown on illegal hits, suggesting the league had softened because of its safety initiatives. These safety measures came from an increased awareness of the devastating effects of repeated hits to the head. The NFL made new rules to try to better prevent and treat concussions and other head injuries. Such injuries can cause serious and long-lasting harm to players' health. The league and its players are often at odds on certain issues. However, the NFL and the players have been united in condemning the president's criticisms. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday that "divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities." Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin defended Trump's words on Sunday. On a news show, Mnuchin said that the president thinks "owners should have a rule that players should have to stand in respect for the national anthem." Mnuchin added that "they can do free speech on their own time." New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who's been a strong supporter of the president, expressed "deep disappointment" with Trump on Sunday. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 3

4 Quiz 1 Read the paragraph from the section "Divisive Rhetoric From Trump." The league and its players are often at odds on certain issues. However, the NFL and the players have been united in condemning the president's criticisms. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday that "divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities." Which idea is BEST supported by this paragraph? The NFL has publicly supported its players and denounced Trump's comments toward them. Trump's recent comments have ignited a fierce disagreement between the NFL and its players. The NFL has made changes recently to improve its actions and help the community. Trump's criticism of the NFL has spurred its commissioner to make a speech promising to make changes. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 4

5 2 Read the following sentences from the article. 1. More than 100 NFL players were sitting or kneeling during the anthem, others raising their fists, and whole teams stood with locked arms to display unity. 2. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first athlete to refuse to stand during the national anthem as a protest of police treatment of people of color last year. 3. After the Warriors' White House invite was rescinded, the National Hockey League's current champion Pittsburgh Penguins announced they did accept a White House invitation from Trump. 4. Hours later, Major League Baseball saw its first player take a knee during the national anthem. Which two sentences, taken together, provide the BEST support for the idea that the protest movement is rapidly gaining support across major sports leagues? 1 and 2 1 and 4 2 and 3 3 and 4 3 How does the article develop the idea that Trump disapproved of NFL players' protests? by suggesting that he had disagreed with NFL leaders in the past by providing suggestions he made for eliminating the need to protest by giving background information about his political views by quoting statements he made at speeches and on social media 4 Which of the following people quoted in the article would be MOST LIKELY to agree with the idea that Trump's recent commentary might change people's perception of the president? LeBron James Roger Goodell Steven Mnuchin Robert Kraft This article is available at 5 reading levels at 5

President Trump's remarks about NFL players spark more protests

President Trump's remarks about NFL players spark more protests By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff on 09.26.17 Word Count 674 Level 860L Several New England Patriots players kneel during the