Franklin Graham is praising Mike Pence's publicity stunt that saw the Vice President and his wife walk out of an NFL game after several players knelt during the national anthem in silent protest at police violence against black people.
A prominent evangelical backer of Donald Trump's administration and member of the president's nominal evangelical advisory council, Graham offered 'three cheers' for Pence, who himself is a staunch evangelical.
Pence flew across America to see the game featuring the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers, whose then-quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, began the kneeling protests which have developed into a widespread statement of opposition to police brutality. Several of the players have knelt regularly during the anthem with at least one doing so every week since the start of the season.
Pence tweeted before the game a photo of his wife and himself taken from 2014, saying he was looking forward to the game, adding to speculation the whole event was a stunt since Pence knew the protests would take place.
Cheering on our @colts w/@FirstLadyIN as they kick off the 2nd half! Go #Colts, beat Jaguars! #JAXvsIND pic.twitter.com/V42n392s1O
— Governor Mike Pence (@GovPenceIN) 23 November 2014 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">Looking forward to cheering for our @Colts & honoring the great career of #18 Peyton Manning at @LucasOilStadium today. Go Colts! pic.twitter.com/C3aCYUNpqG
— Vice President Pence (@VP) 8 October 2017 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">His press pool were told beforehand Pence might be making an early escape, according to the BBC's Anthony Zurcher, and when several players knelt during the anthem, Pence and wife left.
He almost immediately released a statement saying he 'will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem'.
I left today's Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.
— Vice President Pence (@VP) 8 October 2017 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">He added: 'At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience, now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us.'
'While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don't think it's too much to ask NFL players to respect the flag.'
Trump later praised Pence's actions, saying he had asked him to do so.
I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 8 October 2017 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">Graham also praised Pence's actions and posted on Facebook: 'I appreciate that our Vice President has a high standard, and I wish the NFL owners would follow his example.'
Americans are split on the issue according to a poll by PRRI but Trump's fuelling of the controversy has led to several stars joining the #TakeAKnee protest.
