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New Orleans Sports Organizations Speak Out Against President Trumps Recent Comments

By Mark Nilon

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 17: Team Owner Tom Benson of the New Orleans Pelicans helps unveil the Mardi Gras-themed Pride uniforms to be worn during the 2015-16 season on September 17, 2015 at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 17: Team Owner Tom Benson of the New Orleans Pelicans helps unveil the Mardi Gras-themed Pride uniforms to be worn during the 2015-16 season on September 17, 2015 at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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To say our current Commander In Chief is the most polarizing figure to take on the role of ‘POTUS’ (President Of The United States) would be quite the understatement. This past Friday President Donald Trump spoke at a rally in Huntsville, Alabama to campaign for Senate candidate Luther Strange. During his speech, Mr. Trump managed to find a way of putting his “2-cents” in on the highly controversial National Anthem protests that have swept the nation within the last year, specifically in the sports world. In response to the presidents recent comments, many professional sports organizations have issued their own oppositional statements. This includes the New Orleans Pelicans.

During Fridays speech, President Trump expressed his distaste towards the recent protests professional athletes have participated in during the performance of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’. Trump, in reference to players sitting and kneeling, said:

(Language NSFW)

"“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired.”"

This quote is one of MANY from the speech that raised the eyebrows of those associated with the sports industry.

Today, in response to President Trump’s comments, the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans joined the oppositional party other sports organizations/ players have started by issuing a joint statement. In it, Tom Bensons organizations call Trumps comments “disappointing and inappropriate.”

The full statement issued by the franchises reads (per www.nola.com):

"Our organization takes great pride in equality and inclusion and find the comments by the President disappointing and inappropriate relative to our players on this issue. Tom Benson served in the military and continues to this day to support all military branches and feels strongly that we honor those men and women who defend our freedoms and our freedom of speech. He also believes that the very players that represent the Saints and Pelicans organizations should be allowed to share or express their feelings.We prefer to take this moment in time and work together, all of us, to stop the divisiveness. Our players and our organization serve the New Orleans community selflessly and do so without care of race, creed or sexual orientation and that makes us a better city and a better team. We believe strongly in honoring our flag and the national anthem and what it represents and we support our players. We all must strive to show that we are all Americans and continue to work towards equality for all. The NFL and NBA, perhaps more than any sports, have the power to bring communities together."

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Despite what Mr. Trump may claim, the protests these athletes are taking part in is a prime example of American ideology. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution addresses this type of situation exactly. It protects basic liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, press, petition and assembly.

What these people are doing is exercising their entitlement as Americans. Nothing more!

And while one may disagree with why these athletes are protesting, no one can dispute that it is well within their rights as American citizens!

Saturday, DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL players’ union, shared his thoughts on the Presidents controversial comments.

“The line that marks the balance between the rights of every citizen in our great country gets crossed when someone is told to just ‘shut up and play”, says Smith (per NBC.com).

While sometimes it may seem easier to just “bite your lip” and leave your opinions to yourself, it doesn’t necessarily make it the right thing to do. As Steve Maraboli puts it; “The right thing to do and the hard thing to do are usually the same.”

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Stand up for what you believe in! Peacefully appose what you don’t! But NEVER let others keep you hidden in the shadows.

As for the New Orleans Pelicans, Saints and countless other athletes and athletic organizations out there, they’re standing their ground!

Stay unified and never divide!

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