WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday said Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch should be suspended by the NFL if he continues to protest during the national anthem after Lynch sat during a rendition of the song before Sunday’s game in Mexico City.
Lynch and other NFL players have taken a knee or sat during the anthem as a way to protest police brutality and racial inequality in the US Trump has called their actions disrespectful to the country and in the past has said protesting players should be fired.
After sitting during the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the five-time Pro Bowler rose for the Mexican National Anthem while getting equipment put on. The Raiders went on to lose 33-8 to the New England Patriots at Estadio Azteca.
“Marshawn Lynch of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our National Anthem,” Trump tweeted. — Reuters