MIKE PENCE/PROTESTS/SPORTS: “Vice President Mike Pence attended and then left Sunday’s Indianapolis Colts game in response to players protesting during the national anthem, he explained in a string of tweets Sunday [10-8-17] afternoon.
‘I left today’s Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem,’ he said in a tweeted statement. ‘While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem.’
Pence’s decision furthers the feud between the country’s most popular sport and the executive branch of the government just as the back-and-forth looked like it might be quieting down. Later, President Donald Trump tweeted that he asked Pence before the game to leave if players knelt.
‘I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen,’ Trump tweeted.
The NFL declined to comment on Pence’s comments and decision to leave.”
-Andrew Beaton, “Vice President Mike Pence Leaves Colts Game After Anthem Protest,” The Wall Street Journal online, Oct. 8, 2017 02:37pm