Donald Trump

Dolphins Owner Issues Statement Regarding Trump's Comments, Calls for ‘Unifying Leadership'

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross issued a statement Saturday against President Trump’s call to fire NFL players who protest during the national anthem, joining other NFL owners and league commissioner Roger Goodell.

“Our country needs unifying leadership right now, not more divisiveness,” Ross saidin the statement. “We need to seek to understand each other and have civil discourse instead of condemnation and sound bites. I know our players who kneeled for the anthem and these are smart young men of character who want to make our world a better place for everyone. They wanted to start a conversation and are making a difference in our community, including working with law enforcement to bring people together. We all can benefit from learning, listening and respecting each other. Sports is a common denominator in our world. We all have the responsibility to use this platform to promote understanding, respect and equality.”

Ross is the founder of the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality.

stephen ross statement
Miami Dolphins

The statement comes one day after Trump told a rally in Alabama that NFL owners should fire players who kneel during the national anthem.

Several NFL players, starting with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, refused to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner" to protest police treatment of blacks and social injustice.

Earlier on Saturday, President Donald Trump also disinvited Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry to the White House on Twitter

Trump made the announcement on Saturday from his golf club Bedminster, New Jersey. He said: "Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!

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