Failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton finally weighed-in on the months long controversy surrounding the National Football League this weekend; supporting players who protest during the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ and bizarrely suggesting the demonstrations are not against “our anthem.”
The former Secretary of State was fielding questions from reporters as she prepared to embark on the overseas leg of her ‘What Happened’ book tour, saying the players had “reverence” for the flag and were standing against President Trump’s “very clear dog-whistles” to white voters.
“That’s what black athletes kneeling was all about,” said Clinton. “That’s not against our anthem or our flag.”
“Actually, kneeling is a reverent position,” she added. “It was to demonstrate in a peaceful way against racism and injustice in our criminal system […] I think it would be a grave error for Democrats to recede from those fights, so therefore we have to stand up, fight back, resist.”
The NFL has seen a downward spiral of ticket sales, stadium attendance, and television viewership after weeks of player protests during the performance of the national anthem.
This week, TV networks and the NFL hoped to avoid further damage by deciding to not-air the pre-game ceremonies during certain games, broadcasting live as the players took the field.