Ditka told TMZ Sports: “If you cant appreciate our nationwide anthem, get the hell out of the nation. Thats the method I feel. Obviously, Im old fashioned, so Im only going to say what I feel.”
MIKE DITKA: IF YOU CANT RESPECT OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM, GET THE HE– OUT OF THE COUNTRY
David Mulugheta, who is the president of Athletes First which represents Aaron Rodgers, Derwin James, and Earl Thomas to name a few, took issue with Ditkas comments.
” This does not shock me at all. Mike Ditka traded his helmet in for a white hood as soon as he retired from football. Bigotry hiding behind synthetic patriotism is still racism,” he tweeted in reaction to a separate tweet from previous NBA coach Stan Van Gundy.
A prominent sports representative knocked NFL legend Mike Ditka on social networks Sunday after the former Chicago Bears coach said players who dont mean the nationwide anthem must leave the U.S.
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Of course, Im old fashioned, so Im only going to say what I feel.”
Mike Ditka traded his helmet in for a white hood as soon as he retired from football. Racism hiding behind synthetic patriotism is still bigotry,” he tweeted in response to a different tweet from former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy.
Ever since, players from across the sports spectrum have either kneeled during the national anthem or came out with some social justice message ahead of leagues rebooting in the midst of a pandemic.
Fox News Dan Canova added to this report.
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Mulugheta later included that he concurred that appreciating the flag wasnt bigotry.
” I completely concur … and the sun is hot. Neither have anything to do with people kneeling throughout the anthem.”
Ditkas remarks followed New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees at first stated he would never ever agree with anybody disrespecting the flag, but after he received a lot of backlash from fans and players across the league, Brees changed his position on the topic. Other athletes have voiced their viewpoints on the topic because of recent occasions, triggered in big part by George Floyds death in Minneapolis earlier this year.
