Vice President Mike Pence left an NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers early on Sunday because several 49ers players knelt during the national anthem and he did not want to "dignify any event" where the flag or military was disrespected.
"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 shortly afterward.
Pence, who served as Indiana's governor before being elected Vice President, attended the game in Indianapolis with his wife, Karen.
According to CNN, the journalists accompanying Pence were not allowed in the stadium but were told by a staffer that there could be an "early departure" from the game, suggesting Pence planned to leave early all along because of the expected protest.
It's the latest shot traded between the Trump administration and NFL players who have mimicked former San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest by not standing for the national anthem. Trump has blasted players who do not stand for the anthem and encouraged a boycott of the NFL by fans in response.
Trump tweeted Sunday he had asked Pence to leave the stadium early if any such protests occurred and that he was "proud" of Pence and his wife for doing so.
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.
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience...
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
...now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us...
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
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
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
I stand with @POTUS Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/B0zP5M41MQ
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/917091286607433728
Before the game, Pence tweeted a photo of himself and his wife at a Colts game, although the picture was reportedly from 2014.
Looking forward to cheering for our @Colts & honoring the great career of #18 Peyton Manning at @LucasOilStadium today. Go Colts! pic.twitter.com/C3aCYUNpqG
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) October 8, 2017
After he left, he tweeted out a photo of himself standing for the national anthem, writing "we were proud to stand."
The Colts ultimately won the game, 26-23.