The NFL has pushed itself further and further to the left after this fall’s National Anthem kneeling controversy. But it’s clear college football has no plains to join them.
President Trump made an appearance for the National Anthem at the NCAA College Football Championship Game in Atlanta, which pitted the Georgia Bulldogs against the Alabama Crimson Tide. As Trump took the field, flanked by military ROTC members from both universities, the crowd erupted into deafening cheers.
Contrary to the trend of players, owners, and coaches kneeling during the National Anthem for NFL games, President Trump showed respect and pride in the National Anthem. He stood proudly with his hand over his heart, and a flag lapel pin on his chest, as the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band performed the National Anthem.
As they sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the crowd sang along, and Trump appeared to be doing so as well.
As Trump left the field, he waved to the crowd—who went wild, once again.
But despite the friendly reception for the President inside the stadium, a number of far-left groups were protesting Trump outside.
A group called Refuse Fascism ATL planned to kneel in protest at 6:30pm, while the Atlanta NAACP chapter urged fans to bring a “white towel” to simulate a “blizzard” of snowflakes in the stands—though it didn’t seem, from video footage, than many (if any) fans took them up on the offer.
Trump took the National Anthem issue front and center this fall, when he expressed his anger at the kneeling protest—putting him on the side of the majority of the American people, according to contemporary polls. Trump, who cited the need to respect the American flag and the American armed forces, led to an unprecedented collapse in TV ratings and stadium attendance numbers for the NFL.
