In 2016, NFL 49er quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, took a knee during the playing of the national anthem in protest of racial oppression and police brutality against African Americans. After this, many other players throughout the league joined the quarterback in his protests wanting to express their frustration on other issues.

In early October of 2017, with the NFL season starting again, the league clarified that they will continue to allow the protests to continue. In response to this statement, President Trump stated his disapproval of the protests via twitter. “The NFL has decided that it will not force players to stand for the National Anthem. Total disrespect to our great country!” He also insulted the league, calling them “weak” for not requiring their players to stand during the playing of the anthem.

These attacks have resulted in a majority of the public taking sides. There were those who supported and agreed with Kaepernick’s protest and others who found it disrespectful and thought the act should be outlawed in the NFL. These people who supported the protests commended the league for not changing their rules. However, despite this support, the NFL suspended the man who started it all. Kaepernick’s suspension caused another up roar in the community. Many who supported the league felt as though by suspending Kaepernick they were giving into the demands of the president and others who were against the protests.

President Trump has been through many controversies during both his campaign and presidency, but this one was unexpected. In 2017 alone, he was involved in more than 10 public issues that he received backlash from. These include; an immigration ban, having multiple ties to Russia, which he happens to be under investigation for, not denouncing violent acts of a white supremacy groups, trying to take away citizens’ DACA cards, a video where he brags about sexually assaulting women, tweeting out top secret US information and much more. President Trump continues to lambaste the league despite the negativity he was receiving. One of the things that President Trump repeatedly mentioned was how the NFL’s ratings had decreased due to the players’ lack of respect towards the flag. Which some have found hypocritical of President Trump considering his presidency ratings were falling as well.

Throughout this battle, many of the NFL’s fans have supported, and continue to support, the NFL’s decision to allow their players to protest. This has been the force driving the league to not back down. Many who have supported the league have blasted the president for his thoughts on the NFL.