A political football

On Sunday's editorial page, we returned to the issue of race in America.

Turns out we were a couple of hours early.

Let's just call it a political football.

This all started Friday night, when at a rally in Alabama, President Donald Trump called out players who have been taking part in protests during the playing of 'The National Anthem.'

The president poured a little gas on the fire, urging NFL owners to fire any player taking part in such activity.

Just for good measure, he peppered his speech with a little locker room talk, referring to any player who would dare to disrespect the flag and the anthem as a "son of a bitch."

Well, there is something you don't hear from the president of the United State every day.

Then Trump went after Steph Curry, the star of the Golden State Warriors, noting that since Curry was hesitating about possibly visiting the White House, the invitation was being rescinded.

The blowback was quick - and harsh.

The president's actions, which seem to cross the line of depriving citizens of their First Amendment rights, came under criticism from players, owners and league executives.

Then Sunday players across the league took part in various forms of protest before the games.

At Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles and Giants were joined by team execs and owners in locking arms in a show of united support. The president noticed, taking - of course - to Twitter to say that locking arms is OK, kneeling for the anthem is not.

This started last year with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who now finds himself unemployed.

Kaepernick decided to make a statement amid a string of shootings of African American citizens by police officers.

It's now taken on a whole new life, engulfing sport into the question of First Amendment rights and the ability of every citizen - even millionaire athletes - to exercise their free speech rights.

Does America still have a race problem?

Yes.

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