Vice President Mike Pence walked out of Sunday’s NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers as several 49ers players knelt in protest during a rendition of the national anthem.
“While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect our Flag and our National Anthem,” Pence wrote on Twitter minutes after leaving the game in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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.
Following the example of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, NFL players around the country have knelt during renditions of the national anthem in order to protest against police brutality and racial injustice directed towards black Americans.
More than a hundred NFL players from several football teams kneeled or held arms in solidarity earlier this month after President Donald Trump called NFL players who kneel during the anthem “sons of bitches.” He later insisted his criticism of the NFL had “nothing” to do with race.
Trump said on Sunday that he asked Pence to leave the stadium in Indianapolis if any players knelt during the national anthem, an extremely likely event given the number of players on the 49ers team who kneel during the anthem before every game.
I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.
The president’s revelation suggested the White House orchestrated the walk out on purpose, raising questions about the cost of Pence’s brief trip to Indianapolis. The vice president flew there from Las Vegas, where he visited the victims and families of last week’s horrific shooting. He is now flying back West for a stop in California.
NBC News reported Sunday that a senior Pence official said the decision to walk out was planned ahead of time.
“Wait. This was orchestrated to make a point? That’s not an inexpensive thing to do,” tweeted Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) on Sunday.
Wait. This was orchestrated to make a point? That's not an inexpensive thing to do. https://t.co/Ze5jDw4Ifu
Many people have commented that Pence’s action came off as publicity stunt, including San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Reid, who was one of the first players to kneel alongside Kaepernick in 2016. Reid told reporters that the three-year-old photo of Pence at a Colts game in 2014 was the last he had heard of the vice president attending a game.
“So this looks like a PR stunt to me,” Reid told a pool of reporters on Sunday. “He knew our team has had the most players protest. He knew that we were probably going to do it again. This is what systemic oppression looks like. A man with power comes to the game, tweets a couple of things out and leaves the game with an attempt to thwart our efforts. Based on the information I have, that’s the assumption I’ve made.”
Prior to walking out of the game, Pence met with former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. The retired football star, who also played for the University of Tennessee and has donated to prominent GOP figures, has been floated as a potential candidate to replace Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). Corker is retiring next year, but Manning has said he has no plans to run for the seat.
Jazz trumpeter Al Hirt plays the national anthem prior to the start of Super Bowl I on January 15, 1967 between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.
1968
The National Anthem is played before the start of Super Bowl II between the Green Bay Packer and Oakland Raiders January 14, 1968 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Packers won the game 33-14.
1982
Diana Ross sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl XVI in Detroit's Silverdome Stadium in 1982.
1984
Barry Manilow sings the National Anthem prior to Super Bowl XVIII between the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Raiders on January 22, 1984 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Raiders won the Super Bowl 38 - 9.
1987
Neil Diamond sings the National Anthem prior to Super Bowl XXI between the Denver Broncos and New York Giants on January 26, 1987 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Giants won the Super Bowl 39 -20.
1988
Herb Alpert played the National Anthem prior to the Washington Redskins taking on the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII at the Jack Murphy Stadium on January 31, 1988 in San Diego, California. The Redskins defeated the Broncos 42-10.
1991
Whitney Houston sings the National Anthem during the pregame show at Super Bowl XXV while tens of thousands of football fans wave tiny American flags in an incredible outburst of patriotism during the Persian Gulf War on Jan. 27, 1991.
1992
Harry Connick Jr sings the National Anthem prior to Super Bowl XXVI between the Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota January 26, 1992. The Redskins won the Super Bowl 37-24.
1993
Country music star Garth Brooks sings the National Anthem with American sign language translation performed by actress Marlee Matlin prior to Super Bowl XXVII between the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills at the Rose Bowl on January 31, 1993 in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys defeated the Bills 52-17.
1994
Singer Natalie Cole performs the National Anthem to kick off the 1994 Atlanta, Georgia, Superbowl XXVII football game at the Georgia Dome.
1995
Kathie Lee Gifford sings the National Anthem priot to the start of Super Bowl XXIX at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida on Jan. 29, 1995.
1996
Singer Vanessa Williams sings the national anthem prior to the Dallas Cowboys game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona on Jan. 28, 1996. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27-17.
1997
Singer Luther Vandross sings the US National Anthem at the Louisiana Superdome Jan. 27, 1997 before the start of Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Green Bay Packers played the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
1998
US folk singer Jewel performs the US national anthem on Jan. 25, 1998 before Super Bowl XXXII at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The defending champion Green Bay Packers played the Denver Broncos.
1999
Entertainer Cher sings the national anthem at Super Bowl XXXIII which was held at Pro Player Stadium on January 31, 1999 in Miami, Florida.
2000
US singer Faith Hill sings the US National Anthem before the start of Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Jan. 3, 2000. The St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans competed for the NFL 1999 championship.
2001
The Backstreet Boys peform the National Anthem before the Super Bowl XXXV Game between the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Jan. 28, 2001.
2002
Singer Mariah Carey performs 'The National Anthem' on Feb. 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome before Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, Louisiana. The St. Louis Rams and the New England Patriots played for the NFL championship.
2003
The Dixie Chicks sing the national anthem during Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, California on Jan. 26, 2003.
2004
Singer Beyonce performs the US national anthem at Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on Feb.1, 2004 in Houston, Texas.
2005
Former US presidents George H.W. Bush (R) and Bill Clinton listen to the national anthem sung by the combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets before the start of Super Bowl XXXIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots on Feb. 6, 2005 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.
2006
Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville sing the American National Anthem prior to Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. The Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Seattle Seahawks.
2007
Billy Joel after performing the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLI at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, Florida on Feb. 4, 2007.
2008
Singer Jordin Sparks performs the National Anthem during the Super Bowl XLII pre-game show on February 3, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
2009
Singer Jennifer Hudson performs the national anthem during the pre-game show prior to the start of Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
2010
Singer Carrie Underwood sings The United States National Anthem onstage during the Super Bowl XLIV Pregame Show at the Sun Life Stadium on February 7, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
2011
Singer Christina Aguilera sings the national anthem during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.
2012
Kelly Clarkson performs the National Anthem during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Pregame Show at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
2013
Musician Alicia Keys performs the National Anthem prior to the start of Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
2014
Opera singer Renee Fleming performs the National Anthem during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVIII Pregame Show at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
2015
Idina Menzel sings the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots plays against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015.
2016
Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California.
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