(AP – Indianapolis) Vice President Mike Pence has left the 49ers-Colts game after about a dozen San Francisco players took a knee.
The former Indiana governor flew in so he could watch Peyton Manning’s jersey retirement ceremony on Sunday. Manning will become the first Indianapolis-era player in Colts history to have his number retired and will also be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor.
But Pence didn’t stick around long.
Pence said on Twitter : “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.”
We were proud to stand – with all our @Colts – for our soldiers, our flag, and our National Anthem ?? pic.twitter.com/mkZiKMkPDD
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
The White House also issued a statement from Pence, in which he says Americans should rally around the flag. Pence said: “I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem.”
Pence is a noted sports fan and it’s second major event he’s attended in his home state since taking office in January. He also attended May’s Indianapolis 500, a family tradition.
But Pence couldn’t come to Manning’s statue unveiling Saturday afternoon, which was attended by a number of luminaries including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Instead, Pence spent most of Saturday honoring victims of the Las Vegas shooting before returning to his home state.
5 comments
Good for VP! As a Marine from Vietnam era I have no quarter for this behavior. Not watching NFL until owners get cajone’s and straighten this out. I respect freedom of speech but speech has consequences, especially when you exercise that freedom on your employers dime.
Well said, Bob. And thank you for your service.
Congratulations Vice President Pence,
I turned the game off. Instead cleaned up the yard.
I wholeheartedly agree with Vice President Pence. And I hear the complaints about how many tax dollars were spent for you to go to this game…. I don’t care I will be more than happy to spend my tax dollars for you to go and prove this point. I refuse to watch any sporting event that will act like this I think the president should black out all of these sporting events and possibly even cancel NFL for the rest of the season. I along with so many others are so sick of this crap get over it you’re making a lot more than the fans are tell me you’re treated badly
THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR THOS COUNTRY! I support your decision. It’s a shame they dont see it that way. IM SICK OF THIS! CANCEL NFL for the rest of the season. I hear people are complaining about the tax dollars spent on this trip? Who cares!! Im glad my tax dollars are used to express this countries patriotism. WE LOVE THE U.S.A.!!!