The running back for the Buffalo Bills did more than just kneel in protest on Sunday’s game.
Video footage from the Bills vs. Broncos game on Sept. 24, shows LeSean McCoy continuing to warm up and stretch his legs on the ground as the national anthem plays.
ABC sports reporter Matthew Bove posted a short video on Twitter showing what McCoy was doing.
LeSean McCoy stretches during the national anthem. Video courtesy @JennaCottrell @WKBW @13WHAM #Bills pic.twitter.com/2tT4NmdoD8
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 24, 2017
After the game, McCoy tried to explain his decision not to stand, blaming it on Trump’s recent comments on NFL players.
McCoy’s opinion has changed considerably since he first criticized Colin Kaepernick, the first NFL player to take a knee in protest back in August, Daily News reported.
#Bills RB LeSean McCoy on why he protested during today's national anthem. Says the president is "acting like a jerk." Worth the watch: pic.twitter.com/UdYuYlt6oQ
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 24, 2017
“There’s certain players that could be on the team with big distractions, and there’s other players that it’s not good enough or not worth it,” McCoy said about Kaepernick. “I think his situation is not good enough to have him on the team with all the attention that comes along with it.”
Trump recently said on Monday, Sept. 25, “The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!”
The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
Jim Kelly, former quarterback for the same team slammed McCoy’s behavior.
Kelly told CBS Sports that he liked the player but did not agree with his actions.
“I like LeSean McCoy, don’t get me wrong, but I totally, 100 percent I disagree with what he did,” Kelly explained.
“You want to kneel? Fine. But when you go and do what he did yesterday, that sort of bummed me out. And I lost a lot of respect for him. … You want to kneel? That’s your prerogative. I would never do that. I will always stand, thank the good Lord for everything I got. But when you disrespect the way he did and just go by his everyday duty in the national anthem being sung? Uh-uh. I won’t go for that.”
In a tweet on Sunday’s game, Kelly said that he was “really upset” at what the players did.
Even though I'm thankful the BILLS won today, I'm really upset and sad about what's happening.… https://t.co/pNtR4MLZsA
— Jim Kelly (@JimKelly1212) September 25, 2017
