U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (Flickr)
Senator Ted Cruz urged Americans not to buy apparel from football players protesting the national anthem. The former Republican presidential candidate sent two tweets Sept. 12 blasting the athletes who have sat or kneeled instead of standing for the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Cruz sent the messages in response to ESPN analyst Jalen Rose’s tweet Sept. 11 saluting NFL players and teams who peacefully protested against police brutality.
Salute to all @Nfl players & teams that peacefully did protests for change. #standfornothingfallforanything
— Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) September 12, 2016
“Stop insulting our flag, our nation [and] our heroes,” Cruz demanded.
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
Then, he offered a different peaceful protest to patriots.
“Never buy another shoe, shirt or jersey of rich spoiled athletes who dishonor our flag,” he offered.
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
The latter tweet follows news of Colin Kaepernick’s jersey becoming a best-seller on the San Francisco 49ner’s site and NFL Shop.
Today, the quarterback’s men’s jersey is still the top seller on Shop49ers.com.
Regardless, Cruz had some backers.
Though Nancy L. Rogers said she didn’t care about athletes, she praised the senator’s “defense of America.”
I don't care about athletes, bur I applaud your defense of America. It's a shame so many don't appreciate it.
— Nancy L. Rogers (@NancyLRogers1) September 12, 2016
And Sona thought NFLers protest was pointless. She claimed the gangs were “the root of the problem.”
https://twitter.com/sonathemaven88/status/775389970131324928
But there were still others who took the time to educate the senator on the purpose of the protest.
ChocolateSoul pointed out racial profiling and police brutality as two ways the American flag is already dishonored.
As if racial profiling, police brutality, systemic racism and slavery don't already dishonor the flag. 😡
— ChocolateSoul (@ChocolateSoul) September 12, 2016
Meanwhile, Chris Porter explained he served in the military so that “folks can protest peacefully” and called Cruz an “idiot.”
https://twitter.com/cporter2210/status/775403523718549504
Ever since Kaepernick began protesting the U.S. anthem to oppose police brutality last month, several other athletes followed suit.
Many wondered if NFL players would suspend their demonstrations in observation of the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. But instead, teams continued to join in.
The Seattle Seahawks participated, albeit without an especially defiant pose. Instead of sitting or kneeling, players and coaches linked arms on Sept. 11. Supporters of social change criticized the safer approach.
A custom men’s Seahawks jersey sits in the top 3 best sellers on NFL Shop, but it is not clear if the position is related to the teams’ less divisive protest.
