The continuing culture clash surrounding professional sports played out this week in Eric Trump’s response to recent changes within the National Football League.
In a tweet on Sunday, the president’s middle son included a link to a Washington Examiner article in making his argument that the NFL is “officially dead.”
“I’m gone”
His assessment was a direct response to news that the Dallas Cowboys would allow its players to kneel for the national anthem if they so choose.
This development came after the franchise stood virtually alone against a trend many Americans — including President Donald Trump — have described as disrespectful to the American flag.
“Football is officially dead — so much for ‘America’s sport,'” the younger Trump tweeted. “Goodbye NFL… I’m gone.”
As reported by USA Today earlier this month, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones explained the reasoning behind his shift in thinking on the matter.
“That’s the great thing about America: Everybody has a difference,” he said. “If our players are there, they are sensitive to and respect what America is as it relates to the flag. I’ll assure you that. I’d hope that our fans — and I think they will — understand that our players have issues that they need help on. They need help from the majority of America.”
“Expressing yourself”
Defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford reportedly told local news outlets that the team had given players the “green light” to protest on the field, noting that he continued to look for “something that’s going to make a boom” and stand out from other demonstrations.
“It’s not just going to be something that people look at it one time and kind of swipe by it, they’re like, ‘Oh, that’s great. The Cowboys did that,’ and swipe by it,'” he said.
Quarterback Dak Prescott also alluded to the change, referring to “private conversations” about “expressing yourself” instead of every player “expressing one idea.”
Jones is calling for understanding from Cowboys fans, but Eric Trump is hardly the only outspoken critic apparently willing to write off the league for good.
It remains to be seen whether the NFL will weather this current controversy or formerly faithful fans will continue to tune out en masse.
The post 'Football is officially dead': Eric Trump sounds off after reports of new Cowboys protest stance first appeared on Conservative Institute.
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