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Donald Trump seems to be taking a very tough approach to NFL players who are taking a knee while the national anthem plays in protest of police brutality.
He called for the firing and suspension of players who are "disrespecting" America with their actions. Something that even Tom Brady disagreed with when he called Trump's comments "divisive." Brady ultimately backed his fellow NFL players who took a knee in protest during the anthem.
Nascar legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. also went on Twitter to quote JFK about the importance of peaceful protests in the United States:
If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!
Trump's known for constantly tweeting about patriotism on Twitter, however, when given the chance to serve in the Vietnam war, he did not.
Which is probably why this tweet by Brennan Gilmore is getting such a huge reaction.
My grandpa is a 97 year-old WWII vet & Missouri farmer who wanted to join w/ those who #TakeaKnee: "those kids have every right to protest." pic.twitter.com/LurCj7SLUB
It's a photo of his grandfather, John Middlemas who served in World War II. In the photo, Middlemas is taking a knee in solidarity with NFL players to protest police brutality the Springfield News-Leader reported.
Middlemas says that his decision to "take a knee" comes from his commitment "to be like Jesus" and his service alongside Black soldiers on a submarine during World War II.
Grandpa's local newspaper interviewed him about this photo going viral. This is my aunt's read-out of the interview 😂 pic.twitter.com/CUaNdJuoIm
As it turns out, there are tons of people who risked their lives to protect America who stand in solidarity with the NFL players who joined Kaepernick's protest.
My dad was also a WWII vet, and would have been taking a knee today. Your Pop is now everyone's Pop. Give him a hug for me.
