Mayor Lenny Curry, who attended Sunday’s Jaguars game in London, issued a statement today about the team’s demonstration during the national anthem, when several players kneeled.
“I stand and cover my heart for the pledge and the anthem. I think it's stupid to do otherwise. The U.S. Constitution protects the right for a lot of people to do a lot of stupid things. I am a Constitutional Conservative, so I respect the wisdom of our Founders. However, I am focused on storm recovery, public safety and making Jacksonville a great city.”
More than a dozen Jaguars players, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey and running back Leonard Fournette, kneeled during the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” while the remaining players, coaches, medical staff and Jaguars owner Shad Khan locked arms and stood.
Teams across the National Football League took part in ongoing demonstrations Sunday after President Donald Trump, in a speech in Huntsville, Alabama, called on team owners to fire players who kneel during the national anthem and for fans to leave the stadium if they see a player doing so.
Last season, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled to protest what he deems are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the U.S.
"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. “
Kaepernick has yet to be signed by another NFL team, but other players have been kneeling in protest this season.
Khan released a statement Sunday saying in part that “it was a privilege to stand on the sidelines with the Jacksonville Jaguars today for the playing of the U.S. national anthem at Wembley Stadium.”
“I met with our team captains prior to the game to express my support for them, all NFL players and the league following the divisive and contentious remarks made by President Trump, and was honored to be arm in arm with them, their teammates and our coaches during the anthem.”
Khan continued: “Our team and the National Football League reflects our nation, with diversity coming in many forms – race, faith, our views and goals.
“We have a lot of work to do, and we can do it, but the comments by the President make it harder. That’s why it was important of us, and personally for me, to show the world that even if we may differ at times, we can and should be united in the effort to become better people and a nation.”