'The behavior of the President is unacceptable': NFL players respond after Trump attacks league, players protesting the national anthem

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September 23, 2017 4:45 PM

NFL players like Richard Sherman and Eric Ebron took to Twitter to condemn President Donald Trump's attacks on the NFL.

The president said that players that protest the national anthem should be fired.

Detroit Lions tight end
Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh."
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews:
I'm a full supporter of the Flag & This country! Trust Me! But this can't be real!" said Matthew while retweeting a video of the Trump comments.

The peaceful demonstrations by some of our players have generated a wide array of responses. Those opinions are protected speech and a freedom that has been paid for by the sacrifice of men and women throughout history. This expression of speech has generated thoughtful discussions in our locker rooms and in board rooms. However, the line that marks the balance between the rights of every citizen in our great country gets crossed when someone is told to just "shut up and play."

NFL players do incredible things to contribute to their communities. NFL players are a part of a legacy of athletes in all sports who throughout history chose to be informed about the issues that impact them and their communities. They chose - and still choose today - to do something about those issues rather than comfortably living in the bubble of sports. Their decision is no different from the one made by countless others who refused to let "what they do" define or restrict "who they are" as Americans.

No man or woman should ever have to choose a job that forces them to surrender their rights. No worker nor any athlete, professional or not, should be forced to become less than human when it comes to protecting their basic health and safety. We understand that our job as a Union is not to win a popularity contest and it comes with a duty to protect the rights of our members. For that we make no apologies and never will.

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