Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is fed up with professional football players protesting the national anthem, which began when San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick chose not to stand during the song at a preseason game earlier this month.
Following a weekend that began the new NFL season and featured a number of copycats kneeling or holding up a fist during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Cruz took to Twitter to express his dismay Monday at what he sees as an insult to the nation and its “heroes.”
“To all the athletes who have made millions in America’s freedom: stop insulting our flag, our nation, our heroes,” Cruz tweeted, while also quoting ex-NBA player and ESPN personality Jalen Rose.
To all the athletes who have made millions in America’s freedom: stop insulting our flag, our nation, our heroes. https://t.co/GrGPYX8HCh
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 12, 2016
In a separate tweet, Cruz offered an alternative idea to people who want to participate in a “peaceful protest” against athletes who “dishonor our flag.”
“Here’s a peaceful protest: never buy another shoe, shirt or jersey of rich spoiled athletes who dishonor our flag,” he said.
Here’s a peaceful protest: never buy another shoe, shirt, or jersey of rich spoiled athletes who dishonor our flag. https://t.co/GrGPYX8HCh
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 12, 2016
Kaepernick, who is black, took a knee during “The Star Spangled Banner” at a Sept. 1 preseason game, which he said he did because he could not support a country rife with racial inequality.
Soon afterward, Kaepernick’s jerseys soared to the top item sold in the 49ers store. The player said he would donate all the proceeds from his jersey sales to charity.
A number of music artists and fellow atheletes have followed his lead, including four Miami Dolphins players kneeling during the anthem at their game Sunday.
