‘I Will Always Stand for Our Flag’: VP Mike Pence’s NFL Walkout Has Ignited Controversy

I" stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem."
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Vice-President Mike Pence was present at the Indianapolis Colts game against the San Francisco 49ers, a special game where Peyton Manning’s jersey was to be retired. Pence did not stay for long, however, as he left in response to the 49ers kneeling during the National Anthem.

Pence issued a series of tweets, as well as a statement explaining his decision to walk out, which also referenced President Donald Trump, and how “everyone is entitled to their own opinions,” while still maintaining respect for the flag:

President Trump also weighed in further, revealing over Twitter that he had asked Pence to leave should any such protests happen.

Many criticized the vice-president for what they believed was a matter of “PR.” Others pointed out how Pence should have known the 49ers would kneel, as they were the first team to do so. Before he left the NFL, Colin Kaepernick, who famously started these protests, played for that team. Criticism did not only come from the left, but also from Reason’s Ed Krayewski who wrote “Pence Walks Out on Colts Game Because Posturing and Performance Are What Politics Is.”

NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said there was no comment on Pence’s walking out, as CNN reported.

Not all reactions were negative, however. Sports reporter Britt McHenry defended Pence in her own series of tweets.

As of late Sunday night, neither President Trump nor Vice-President Pence had addressed the criticism over Twitter. Pence’s most recent tweet was of himself and his wife honoring pledging to the flag, while Trump had moved on to multiple other topics, including addressing criticism for efforts to aid Puerto Rico and from retiring Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn).