[NBC] Vice President Mike Pence walked out of a football game between the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers on Sunday after roughly a dozen players from the 49ers took a knee during the national anthem.
The former Indiana governor flew to Lucas Oil Stadium so he could watch Peyton Manning's jersey retirement ceremony. 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.
The White House issued a statement regarding Pence's departure from the game, which reads as follows:
"I left today's Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem. At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience, now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us. 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. I stand with President Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem." |