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Keith Ellison Calls for NFL Boycott Over ‘Unfair, Cowardly, and Idiotic Kneeling Ban’

Rep. Keith Ellison / Getty Images
May 29, 2018

Rep. Keith Ellison (D., Minn.), the vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, announced over the weekend he is boycotting the NFL over its new rules about the national anthem.

Noting that his friends consider him a great football fan, Ellison said he would not watch this season because of its "unfair cowardly and idiotic kneeling ban." The new rule came after some players, starting with former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, knelt in protest during the national anthem.

"Friends who know me, know that I love football," Ellison wrote on Twitter. "But I won’t be watching this NFL season because of the unfair cowardly and idiotic kneeling ban. #BoycottNFL."

Ellison is one of many progressive public figures who have lambasted the NFL for its decision, but he is notable among elected Democratic leaders in calling for a boycott. Sen. Ben Cardin (D., Md.) expressed support for the rule change Thursday, saying it constituted "moving in the right path."

The NFL owners voted last week to add a rule requiring players on the field to stand during the national anthem or face a fine. The rule also gives players the option to stay in the locker room until after the anthem.

"Clearly our objective as a league and to all 32 clubs—which was unanimous—is we want people to be respectful at the national anthem," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at a press conference. "We want people to stand. That is all personnel. And make sure that they treat this moment in a respectful fashion. That is something that we think we owe."

The anthem protests presented the league with an unwanted controversy, although many of the protesters have said they merely sought to draw attention to police brutality and systemic racism.

Others who have supported a boycott of the NFL include actor Mike Colter and comedians Wanda Sykes and Chelsea Handler.

President Donald Trump inserted himself into the conflict last year when he said players kneeling during the anthem should be "fired" by team owners.