Vice President Mike Pence briefly stopped by the Indianapolis Colts game yesterday, but he left when 23 members of the San Francisco 49ers took a knee during the National Anthem.
He Tweeted, “I left today’s Colts game because, I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our flag, or our National Anthem. Now, more than ever, we should rally around our flag and everything that unites us.”
Obviously, the reactions are split down political lines.
It sounds like Pence went to the game because he was governor of Indiana, and the Colts were retiring Peyton Manning’s number. But if that’s the case then he didn’t get see to it, because he left right around the opening kickoff. The Manning tribute didn’t happen until halftime.
It’s possible that his counter-protest was PRE-PLANNED. He had to know there would be kneeling. The 49ers have consistently participated in the protests, and Colin Kaepernick was a Niner when he started the whole thing last year.
President Trump praised the Pences, Tweeting, “I asked Mike to leave the stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I’m proud of him and [his wife] Karen.”
I left today’s Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
