President Trump wants those who protest during the national anthem kicked out of the NFL. Would he kick them out of the White House?
Chiefs safety Marcus Peters, who has protested during the song since Colin Kaepernick took up the cause last season, wants a sit-down with Trump and Trump’s newest enemy, Marshawn Lynch.
“Was going on big dog,” Peters wrote in a Twitter message to Trump on Monday. “I know we got a lot that needs to be talk about how about we set up a set down with you,me,@MoneyLynch and more and we talk about some s–t.
“Not being disrespectful just wanna talk.”
Peters wants to talk about Trump’s renewed public assault on the league after Lynch, in Sunday’s game in Mexico, would not stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner,” for which he hasn’t risen all season, but stood for Mexico’s anthem. Trump called the act by the Raiders running back “great disrespect!” and implored the NFL to “suspend him for remainder of season” next time.
Peters, who grew up in Oakland with Lynch, raised a fist during the anthem last season and has mostly taken a seat this year.
“I ain’t trying to get into a back and forth conversation of me trying to prove that I’m not being disrespectful or that I am being disrespectful toward the American flag,” Peters told the Kansas City Star last month. “Man … come on, man. I’m an American, bruh. I’m an African-American that was born in this wonderful country that we all can live in. How about we start all protecting each (expletive) other and come together, you feel me? It will be better for it.”
Kaepernick cited institutionalized racism and police brutality as his reason to protest. Peters, 24, feels he doesn’t owe anyone an explanation.
“Nobody’s gotta know my reason why I sit,” the two-time Pro Bowler said. “Nobody’s gotta know the reason why somebody chooses the religion they choose. Nobody’s gotta know why I eat cereal instead of eating oatmeal in the morning.”
If Peters has his way — the longest of long shots — Trump can find out the real reason he sits.