NBA, NFL players hit back after Trump tirade

    2017-September-25  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

U.S. President Donald Trump triggered a backlash from the U.S. professional sports world Saturday after withdrawing a White House invitation to the NBA champions Golden State Warriors and condemning NFL players protesting the national anthem.

A day after Trump had decried activist, mostly African American National Football League players as “sons of bitches” for kneeling or sitting during renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the U.S. leader turned his ire to basketball’s reigning champions and their top player Stephen Curry.

Curry said Friday he would not attend a White House reception if his team was invited in accordance with a tradition that stretches back several decades. Curry’s remarks followed similar comments by teammate Kevin Durant.

Trump responded with an early morning Twitter on Saturday. “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!” he wrote.

Trump’s outburst drew a stinging response from across the NBA, with Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James among the first to weigh in.

“Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up,” James wrote on Twitter.

The Warriors, meanwhile, said in a statement they would plan their own trip to Washington instead of going to the White House, making the visit a celebration of “equality, diversity and inclusion.”

Trump’s spat with Curry and the Warriors came less than 24 hours after the president raged against NFL players who have protested the national anthem.

The NFL has seen a surge in activism by players since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick last year refused to stand for the national anthem that precedes each game in protest at law enforcement brutality toward minorities.

In a tirade in Alabama on Friday, Trump said players who protested during the anthem should be fired.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reacted with dismay to Trump’s comments.

“Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players,” Goodell wrote.