The NFL anthem protesters have crossed a line.
And one military veteran took a stand.
But you won’t believe how this team attacked the character of a heroic solider who defended the flag.
The New Orleans Saints are trying to put a stop to the fan backlash over their players’ anti-American protests.
Players kneeled for the anthem during a week 3 game against the Panthers.
Since then, they have escalated their protests to include spitting on the graves of fallen police officers by demonstrating during a moment of silence for a cop killed in the line of duty.
So the team selected JohnWells – a former Navy commander – to receive an award honoring service members in the community before the team’s next home game.
But Wells turned down the Saints because he said the America-hating players disrespected the military with their anthem protests.
The team fired back and accused the American hero of being a grandstanding publicity hound.
Millions of Americans were appalled at the team for scheming to slime an American hero and defending their players who spit on the memories of soldiers who died fighting under the flag.
ESPN reports:
“The New Orleans Saints released a statement Thursday saying it is “unfortunate and disappointing” that a retired Navy commander who declined an honor at Sunday’s game has been telling media outlets he no longer supports NFL football because of player protests throughout the league before and during the national anthem.
“We will not allow Mr. [John] Wells’ decision and subsequent media appearances to distract our players and organization from continuing to honor and support our military and veterans,” the Saints said in their statement, which stressed the organization’s “unwavering 50-plus year commitment to honor, support and recognize our servicemen and women and veterans.”
In the statement, the Saints also emphasized their players have stood for the anthem in every game since the franchise’s inception in 1967, with the exception of “the Week Three game at Carolina when a few of our players did sit.”
Since then, Saints players have chosen to kneel before the anthem in a display of unity, then stand during the anthem. Still, many fans have booed the kneeling players inside the Superdome even though the booing has not taken place during the anthem.”
Wells was standing up for the honor of the troops he fought with and those who currently serve by rejecting the Saints self-serving PR stunt.
ESPN reports:
“Wells, who is the executive director of the national Military Veterans Advocacy in Slidell, Louisiana, was selected as a Peoples Health Champion, an award given at Saints home games to recognize “the exceptional achievements of Louisiana residents age 65 and older.”
However, Wells declined the honor, calling the protests during the anthem a “slap in the face to veterans” in a news release and saying he could not “in good conscience” enter an NFL stadium.
“Although I am touched and honored to be selected for such an award, the ongoing controversy with NFL players’ disrespect for the national flag forces me to decline to participate in the presentation,” Wells said according to the release. “Since this award is tainted with the dishonorable actions of the NFL and its players, I cannot accept it.”
If the Saints – and the rest of the NFL teams and players – want to prove they respect the troops, then they should end their anti-American anthem protests immediately.
