KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The controversial comments made by President Donald Trump about NFL athletes protesting during the national anthem has been the talk of the town Sunday.
“There are a lot of people who feel you should stand and they are not shying away from it. So it has been a very combustible morning for the NFL,” said Soren Petro with Sports Radio 810.
At Arrowhead stadium, saying “Chiefs” at the end of the national anthem is a tradition.
Sunday, players, coaches, and owners around the NFL stood against President Trump's comments.
"My personal stance is I stand for the national anthem, I think people should stand but we also live in a country where I fully respect an individuals right to do what they want to do,” said Marc Boerigter, former Chiefs receiver.
Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt sent a statement saying he believes “in honoring the American flag and supporting all of those whose sacrifices protect the many freedoms we have in this country, including the right to have differences of opinions.”
Statement from Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt. pic.twitter.com/DdMruLebOj
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 24, 2017
We asked fans what they think about players not standing for the national anthem.
“They should, you have to stand up for what you believe in,” said Brendan Walsh.
“It doesn’t bother me honestly, I get people saying stand for the flag. I also stand for standing for something when you see these horrible things happening all over,” said Jason Rakoski.
Boerigter says people need to remember NFL athletes are individuals as well.
“I don’t like the whole 'stick to sports' mentality. I think it takes away your rights as an American and as a human,” said Boerigter.
According to the Associated Press, over 130 players around the NFL were observed kneeling or sitting during the national anthem in the league's first nine games Sunday morning.
As more and more players join in the protest, the NFL dusted off a one-minute ad produced for the Super Bowl earlier this year.
According to the league, the ad was made to "demonstrate the power of football to bring people together."
The NFL plans to run the ad again on NBC's "Sunday Night Football."
Inside these lines, we can bring out the best in each other and live united. pic.twitter.com/nQpUrKFL4T
— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2017
