Fox News apologized after displaying images of Philadelphia Eagles players kneeling in prayer on Monday to illustrate their reporting on President Trump’s criticism of NFL player’s national anthem protests and his cancellation of the Super Bowl winner’s visit to the White House.
Christopher Wallace, executive producer of “Fox News at Night” with Shannon Bream, said in a statement Tuesday that there was “some sort of error” and clarified that no members of the Eagles knelt in protest last season as multiple journalists have pointed out.
“During our report about President Trump canceling the Philadelphia Eagles trip to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win, we showed unrelated footage of players kneeling in prayer. To clarify, no members of the team knelt in protest during the national anthem throughout regular or post-season last year. We apologize for the error,” Wallace said.
The misleading slide show elicited widespread backlash, including from Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who lambasted the network for the misuse of the photos which featured him and his colleagues.
“This can’t be serious…. Praying before games with my teammates, well before the anthem, is being used for your propaganda?! Just sad, I feel like you guys should have to be better than this…” Ertz tweeted Tuesday.
[Also read: NFL players union ‘disappointed’ by Trump’s decision to snub the Philadelphia Eagles]
This can’t be serious…. Praying before games with my teammates, well before the anthem, is being used for your propaganda?! Just sad, I feel like you guys should have to be better than this… https://t.co/kYeyH2zXdK
— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) June 5, 2018
The segment was prompted by Trump making a shock announcement Monday that the Eagles were disinvited from White House for a ceremony that was meant to celebrate their Super Bowl victory. He emphasized that a small delegation of players and staff that were planning to attend would have been an affront to fans who would be there.
Trump said in a statement that he would still be attending the celebration, but that it would now be “one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem.”
The president also cited the controversial NFL national anthem protests.
The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018
Eagles defensive lineman Chris Long also criticized the network on Tuesday for their use of the images.
“Imagine wanting to please the boss so very badly that you run stills of guys knelt down PRAYING during pregame. Not one Eagles player knelt for the anthem this yr. Keep carrying his water to sow division while misrepresenting Christian men. Aren’t many of your viewers.. nevermind,” Long tweeted.
Imagine wanting to please the boss so very badly that you run stills of guys knelt down PRAYING during pregame. Not one Eagles player knelt for the anthem this yr. Keep carrying his water to sow division while misrepresenting Christian men. Aren’t many of your viewers.. nevermind https://t.co/QdlOvL0btq
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) June 5, 2018
The controversial protests within the NFL began after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem in Sept. 2016 to protest wrongdoings against minorities. His action drew heavy criticism but also led to players across the league joining him in protest.
Dozens of NFL players and staff members knelt during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in protest last season, as TV ratings dropped and Trump repeatedly railed against the demonstrations as being disrespectful to the American flag, the anthem and those who serve in the military. Last month, NFL owners voted to put in place a new policy which requires players to stand on the field for the national anthem or remain in the locker rooms. Violations will result in fines against teams involved.
While multiple Eagles players sought to raise awareness to race inequalities in the U.S., no Eagles players actually knelt during the anthem last season. However, Ron Brooks did take a knee at a preseason game during the anthem while Malcolm Jenkins raised his fist. Brooks was released from the team in August 2017.
