By Brett Shweky/Sports Director
A year into Donald Trump’s term, the world of sports has seen a dramatic impact from the American president.
From Trump’s criticisms of the players protesting the National Anthem to his withdrawal of Golden State’s invitation to attend the annual White House visit, numerous sporting leagues are feeling his presence.
Trump, who has been boosting his opinions through Twitter, tweeted on Oct. 11, 2017, that National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell should address the teams throughout the league and force them to stand for the anthem.
“It is about time that Roger Goodell of the NFL is finally demanding that all STAND for our great National Anthem-RESPECT OUR COUNTRY,” Trump tweeted.
Following Trump’s message, Goodell sent a memo to NFL team executives and presidents saying that the league believes the players and coaches should stand for the anthem and the protests will be discussed in a meeting in the immediate future.
Tensions first escalated after a political rally in Alabama on Sept. 22, 2017, when Trump declared that the owners should fire players who took a knee during the anthem.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a B—- off the field right now? Out,” Trump said during one his rallies.
This proclamation by Trump resulted in multiple NFL players and owners to display their negative feelings towards the comments and have continued their protests.
Immediately following Trump’s address, almost every team in the league displayed some type of protest.
Whether some decided to stand on the sideline with their teammates and interlock arms or kneel during the anthem, teams throughout the league decided on a way to demonstrate and relay their message of unity.
With it now being Week Nine of the NFL season, eleven teams still feature players who protest the National Anthem. Even the local Miami Dolphins, had three players stand in the tunnel during the national anthem before the game Sunday night against the Oakland Raiders.
Miami’s Head Coach Adam Gase implemented a team policy in October, which stated that players are either to stand for the anthem or to remain in the tunnel leading into the field.
Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross, who supported the protest earlier in the year, expressed that his wishes that players would start to stand and pay homage to America in his weekly media address.
“Whenever you’re dealing with the flag, you’re dealing with something different. [Trump] has changed that whole paradigm of what protest are,” said Ross. “I think it’s incumbent upon the players today, because of how the public is looking at it, is to stand and salute the flag.”
Sophomore biology major Kimberly Navarrete expressed that she feels that the public protests will continue and believes players throughout sports should proceed to use their platform to voice their messages.
“I feel that we’re only going to see an increase in public displays,” said Navarrete. “In today’s world, athletes use their stature to influence their audience and give a voice to the little people. People look up to them, so it’s a perfect way for them to get their messages across.”
Even in the National Basketball Association, Trump has made a significant impact.
Following the Golden State Warriors’ 2016-2017 championship run, many news outlets questioned whether point guard Stephen Curry and the rest of the team would attend the traditional trip to the White House.
With no response given on if the team would be going and with speculation swirling that the Warriors had no intentions on attending the trip, Trump tweeted on Sept. 23 that Curry is no longer invited to the White House.
“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team,” tweeted Trump. “Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”
Although, it was not made clear if Trump was withdrawing the offer from the entire team or just Curry.
The Warriors followed up by stating that it was made clear that they were not welcomed at the White House and when the team travels to Washington this season they will exercise “equality, diversity and inclusion, the values that we embrace and an organization.”
Curry also added that he had no intentions on attending the Washington trip, and the Warriors made a collective decision prior to not attend.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussed in a press conference that his disappointment with Golden State’s decision.
“I was in favor of the team visiting the White House and thought it was a rare opportunity for these players to share their views directly with the President,” said Silver. “I am disappointed that it will not happen. More importantly, I am proud of our players for taking an active role in their communities and continuing to speak out on critically important issues.”
Junior Jose Marchese, who is majoring in Communication Arts, believes that Curry made the correct decision by not attend the annual White House visit because it sends a message to Trump and his administration.
“Curry made the right choice in my opinion,” said Marchese. “He has publically expressed his dismay with the current president, so why would he be a hypocrite and attend the trip. This sends a message to him [Trump].”
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