Redskins star hits back at Trump for criticism of protests

Redskins star hits back at Trump for criticism of protests



An NFL player responded angrily on Twitter to President Donald Trump's criticism of on-field protests late Friday.

'Trump stay in ur place..football have nothing to do wit u smh,' tweeted Washington Redskins linebacker Zach Brown.



Brown wrote 'smh' to indicate the popular social media acronym for 'shaking my head.'

The Redskins star is likely the first of many players who are expected to respond to the president's comments Friday, when he called on NFL owners to fire players who take a knee during the national anthem.



'Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners…when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, "Get that son of a b***h off the field right now, out. He's fired. He's fired!"' Trump said during a political rally in Alabama on Friday.

The remark by Trump was met with cheers by an adoring crowd in Huntsville.



'The only thing you could do better,' Trump said, 'is if you see it, even if it's just one player, leave the stadium. I guarantee things will stop. Things will stop. Just pick up and leave. Pick up and leave. Not the same game anymore, anyway.'

Though the president never mentioned any players by name, he was most likely referring to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.



Kaepernick was the first prominent NFL star to draw attention for refusing to stand during the national anthem as an act of protest against police shootings of African-Americans.

Other players have since adopted Kaepernick's gesture.



Kaepernick is currently not on an NFL roster. Supporters of the former 49ers star accuse the NFL's owners – a number of whom contributed money to Trump's campaign – of colluding to keep him out of football as punishment for his political views.

Trump also told the rally's attendees that he was part of the reason the NFL has seen viewership drop in recent months.

'Now the No. 1 reason happens to be, they like watching what's happening with yours truly,' he said.

Trump also said that 15-yard penalties for 'beautiful' tackles were 'ruining the game