Detroit Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford is receiving backlash after he kneeled during the National Anthem. The Lions played the Houston Texans in a Thanksgiving day matchup.
Before kickoff, Stafford decide to kneel during the game as a form of protest. Kneeling has grown traction this season within the NFL. Some players and entire teams have decided to kneel to protest racial inequality and injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Their actions have garnered both supporters and critics this season, with ratings fluctuating. Stafford’s protest comes after his wife made controversial statements about Michigan’s COVID-19 protocols. Protocols prevent in-school instruction as well as the closing of in-door dining and bars. She compared the state to a “dictatorship.”
for those who were surprised by the sight of Matt Stafford kneeling during the national anthem… https://t.co/ISAB4iNVNO
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 26, 2020
Matthew Stafford Receives Backlash From Critics
On Twitter, several people criticized Stafford for his protest during the Thanksgiving game. One user called out both Stafford and Texans’ quarterback DeShaun Watson, who also knelt. They wrote, “I have a message for Deshawn Watson and Matthew Stafford. Next time you disrespect my anthem by kneeling, remember why you get to play a game for millions. From a hard working, patriotic American.”
I have a message for Deshawn Watson and Matthew Stafford. Next time you disrespect my anthem by kneeling, remember why you get to play a game for millions. From a hard working, patriotic American.
— Steve Otkowski (@OtkowskiSteve) November 26, 2020
Tuned into the @nfl for a split second for nostalgia’s sake and of course the first thing I see is Matthew Stafford kneeling during the national anthem. Forget these losers.
— Eleni 🇺🇸 (@AntiFeminist85) November 26, 2020
Several users called out Stafford’s protest in relation to his wife’s statements. One user wrote, “His wife gonna make him sleep on the couch.”
guy had to do some damage control for his wife
— Carlton (@SlopingGiraffe) November 26, 2020
His wife gonna make him sleep on the couch
— Willie Stroker 🧀7-3 🦡2-1 (@freewstroker) November 26, 2020
So confused, didn’t his wife just rant about not being able to eat out during a pandemic?
— MikeP (@Burnt_Creme) November 26, 2020