Donald Trump calls for Oakland Raiders' Marshawn Lynch to be suspended
Monday 20 November 2017 13:24, UK
Donald Trump has called for Oakland Raiders' Marshawn Lynch to be suspended in a fresh row over protests during the USA national anthem.
Lynch reportedly sat during the Star Spangled Banner before the Raiders game against the New England Patriots in Mexico City on Sunday, but then stood for the Mexican anthem.
Ben Volin, a New England Patriots writer for the Boston Globe, allegedly captured the moment and shared it on social media:
President Trump has been a very vocal opponent of the practice this season and again took to Twitter to express his displeasure.
"Marshawn Lynch of the NFL's Oakland Raiders stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our National Anthem.
"Great disrespect! Next time NFL should suspend him for remainder of season. Attendance and ratings way down."
The notion of NFL players protesting racial inequality and police brutality in the United States by kneeling or sitting during the national anthem started last season when then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick did so.
While Kaepernick is a free-agent and still unsigned despite being 30 years old with a Super Bowl appearance to his name, a number of players, including Lynch, have protested during the 2017 season.
Raiders coach Jack Del Rio discussed his running back's approach to the anthem after a preseason game earlier this year.
"On Marshawn, talked to Marshawn trying to make sure we're on the same page," Del Rio said.
"He said, 'This is something I've done for 11 years. It's not a form of anything other than me being myself.'
"I said, 'So you understand how I feel, I very strongly believe in standing for the national anthem. But I'm going to respect you as a man, you do your thing. We'll do ours.' It's a non-issue for me."
