Add former Cardinals quarterback and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Kurt Warner to the list of current and former athletes who disagree with President Trump's comments about firing NFL players who protest during the national anthem.
One day after Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he sides with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in his standoff with Trump, Warner said he's "disappointed" in the President's comments and believes NFL players who choose to sit or kneel during the national anthem aren't doing so out of disrespect to the U.S. flag or military.
Well said @kurt13warner
What the flag stand for? pic.twitter.com/gqYvgFMcWM
— Dre'Lin Jackson (@drelinas1) September 24, 2017
"(The flag is) a symbol of the ideals of our great country: One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The anthem: It's a reminder to us of those things. The President of the United States, his role is to uphold and to fight for the rights of every person, every American. And so, when I heard the comments, I was so disappointed because I believe (Trump's) comments are completely contradictory to what the flag represents," Warner said Sunday morning on NFL Network.
"We have this narrative that these protests are contradictory to our flag and contradictory to our military. I don't see them that way. I see them as complementary to the ideals to the flag, to the military and what they fought for -- the service men and women and what they fought for.
"I have not heard one player that has not been more than grateful to our military. This isn't about that at all; it's about standing up for the ideals of the flag."
Warner said he's given a great deal of thought to what NFL players who have protested during the anthem are trying to accomplish.
"I contemplated: Is it more honorable to stand and face the flag when you don't represent the ideals of what the flag represents, or is it more honorable to kneel in protest in an attempt to try to accomplish what the flag was designed to represent?" he said.
"When I heard (Trump's) comments, I was just so disappointed because it was contradictory, and we put this narrative out there that I believe is wrong when we look at these players and what they're trying to do and what they're trying to represent.
"What are we trying to do here? What are we trying to accomplish, not just as players but as a country? I just couldn't be more disappointed in those comments."
Warner later took to Twitter to note he wasn't trying to "lecture" anyone with his comments, and he debated the topic with a handful of fans.
Not trying to lecture anyone this morning... just sharing my personal thoughts, beliefs & opinions about some of things going on in NFL!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) September 24, 2017
I havent, but my wife & family have & they fought 4 the freedoms we have & we strive for, which IMO is what these players are trying to do!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) September 24, 2017
Don't do that, just responded to comments about our game... just dialogue which IMO is never wrong!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) September 24, 2017
I understand your point, I just don't believe they are meaning any disrespect, just trying to make a difference!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) September 24, 2017
