Rauner: NFL player protests are ‘disrespectful’

Posted on September 26, 2017
Bruce Rauner
Gov. Bruce Rauner said he “cannot and will not condone” NFL players kneeling during the national anthem. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Bruce Rauner)

By RFD Radio /WFMB

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner is weighing in on the controversy over NFL player protests during the national anthem.

Last weekend’s protests didn’t score points with him.

“I strongly disagree with those individuals who choose to disrespect – or frankly – insult our flag, our national anthem, our nation as a whole, our values,’ Rauner said.

But Rauner isn’t following in the footsteps of President Trump, who says NFL players who protest during the anthem should be fired.

“So I vehemently disagree with those individuals,” Rauner added. “That said, one of the reasons we are the greatest nation on earth is because we are a nation of freedoms. We have freedom of speech and freedom of expression. People are free to be disrespectful as much as I might disagree with them.”

Rauner is a part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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