President Donald Trump took to Twitter early Wednesday morning to praise NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for ‘demanding’ that players stand for the national anthem prior to games.
However, the president’s interpretation of the commissioner’s letter was inaccurate, according to a statement released by the NFL.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter released the NFL’s statement, which can be read in full below:
Joel Ward will not kneel for the national anthem.
Ward, a right winger for the San Jose Sharks of the NHL, posted a lengthy statement to his Twitter account on Thursday after days of speculation about whether or not he may take a knee in solidarity with NFL players protesting social injustices. Ward is one of roughly 30 black players in the National Hockey League.
“As a black man, I have experienced racism both inside and outside of the sporting world,” Ward wrote. “Make no mistake that racism exists and that people of color are treated differently on a day-to-day basis.”
Kelsey Driscoll 