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Vice president Pence exits NFL game after anthem protest
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In mourning: US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, participate in a moment of silence on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, Oct.2 for the victims of the shooting yesterday in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(AFP/Saul Loeb)
U
S Vice President Mike Pence walked out of an NFL game Sunday after some players kneeled for the national anthem, the latest twist in a running saga over the controversial protests against racial injustice.
Pence said that he departed after seeing players kneel during a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before his home team the Indianapolis Colts hosted the San Francisco 49ers.
"I left today's Colts game because President (Donald) Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem," Pence wrote on Twitter.
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
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
While Colts players stood arm-in-arm for the anthem, more than 20 San Francisco players took a knee.
It was a less organized gesture than the 49ers' demonstration last week, when 30 players knelt with hands on hearts while teammates stood behind them.
But it should have come as little shock to Pence, an Indiana native who had tweeted his photo in Colts cap and shirt before the game.
"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 tweeted.
"I stand with President Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem."
Trump weighed in later via Twitter, taking credit for the departure of Pence and his wife from the stadium.
"I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen," he said.
I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
San Francisco safety Eric Reid, one of the first players to embrace the anthem protest after it was initiated by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick last year, said Pence's walkout looked like a publicity stunt.
"With the information I have, the last time he went to a Colts game was three years ago, so this looks like a PR stunt to me," said Reid, noting that the picture Pence had tweeted of himself and his wife in Colts apparel appeared to be the same as one taken at a game three years ago.
The vice president also tweeted a picture of himself, clad in a button-down shirt and blazer, and his wife standing for the anthem on Sunday.
"He knew our team has had the most players protest. He knew we were probably going to do it again," Reid said.
"And so this is what systemic oppression looks like -- a man with power comes to the game, tweets a couple things out and leaves the game with an attempt to thwart our efforts."
