Love standing in support of Trump’s anthem stance
U.S. Presidents Cup assistant captain Davis Love III on Tuesday took a swipe at the NFL players who protested President Trump’s controversial barbs attacking league players by kneeling during the national anthem at various games this past weekend.
Love, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Tuesday night, said in a television interview, “I think President Trump is right. There’s a time to protest, and it probably isn’t the national anthem.
“In golf, there’s a little more restraint. We adhere to our rule book and core values and traditions. I think that’s why our sport’s so successful.
Meanwhile, U.S. Presidents Cup captain Steve Stricker revealed he addressed the issue with his assistant captains and players, asking them how they felt about the topic. Stricker said he asked them how they wanted to handle national anthem when it’ s played prior to the start of the competition Thursday.
“We’ve had a discussion already and none of my players want to do that,’’ Stricker said of kneeling during the anthem. “I just wanted to know what they wanted to do and how we wanted to proceed as a team. So we were going to do what we always do and that’s take off our hat and put our hands across our chest and over our heart and respect the flag. So that’s what we’re planning on doing.’’
Rickie Fowler, who represented the U.S. in the Sum- mer Olympics, called “one of the coolest experiences being able to hear [the national anthem] down at the Olympics.’’
“It still gives me chills thinking about it,’’ he said.
Asked about the NFL players kneeling in quiet protest, Fowler said, “I don’t necessarily think it’s the right time to do it, it’s our national anthem, it’s our country’s flag, so it’s a special time to, I guess, in a way pay respect and remember what a great country we get to live in. But it is free speech. You can do what you want. But I just think it may be better at a different time.’’
Asked about the U.S. Presidents Cup team plans for Thursday’s opening ceremony, Fowler said, “We’re going to go about it [doing] what we all normally do — stand, take our hat off, hand over our heart, and look forward to this match and” event we get to play here.’’