We were proud to stand – with all our @Colts – for our soldiers, our flag, and our National Anthem 🇺🇸
Vice President Mike Pence took to Twitter to join President Donald Trump in his displeasure of the NFL. Pence posted a photo earlier this morning of him in full Colts gear attending the Colts-49ers game.
Looking forward to cheering for our @Colts & honoring the great career of #18 Peyton Manning at @LucasOilStadium today. Go Colts!
Hours later, he sent out a tweet noting he left the game after the national anthem.
“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,” Pence tweeted.
He went on to expand his opinion in several successive tweets.
At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience…now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us…While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem.
The move seems anything but calculated. Given the Trump administration’s vocal displeasure with anthem demonstrations, Pence had to have a sense there was a good chance he would see at least one player kneeling during the anthem.
CNN’s Elizabeth Landers reported the media pool was instructed to stay in vans as there could be an early exit by Pence.
Pooler @VaughnHillyard asked to go into the stadium with @VP (as is pool’s duty) but held in vans and told @VP may leave game early:
Pence issued an official statement which reads similar to his tweets.
I left today’s Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem. At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve and resilience, now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem. I stand with President Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem.
Here was Twitter’s reaction to Pence’s exit.
Looks like Mike Pence had one hell of a Sunday! In no way shape or form did he see that coming and plan that out!
49ers have been protesting for over a year. This was calculated.
Colts fans were put through additional security delays today. Because VP Mike Pence was here. For one series.