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Warning: the video you’re about to watch is propaganda.
FOX News aired this clip on Tuesday morning while discussing how the Philadelphia Eagles were disinvited to the White House “due to the National Anthem controversy.”
President @realDonaldTrump says Philadelphia @Eagles won't attend @WhiteHouse ceremony amid national anthem dispute https://t.co/QOOUCg68Gd pic.twitter.com/CRHsoE6ArX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 5, 2018
As you can see, there are a number of still shots of Eagles players (and former Eagles players — a 2016 picture of Jordan Matthews is included for some reason) kneeling in this video. Clearly, the Eagles are being incredibly disrespectful to America!
Except they’re not. They’re not even kneeling during the National Anthem. Those photos are pictures of players praying in pregame warmups. I know this because I was at the games. Players from both teams stand on the sideline facing the flag during warmups. No one is kneeling in the end zone.
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII, reacted to the images of him being used in this clip.
This can’t be serious.... Praying before games with my teammates, well before the anthem, is being used for your propaganda?! Just sad, I feel like you guys should have to be better than this... https://t.co/kYeyH2zXdK
— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) June 5, 2018
Chris Long also weighed in.
Imagine wanting to please the boss so very badly that you run stills of guys knelt down PRAYING during pregame. Not one Eagles player knelt for the anthem this yr. Keep carrying his water to sow division while misrepresenting Christian men. Aren’t many of your viewers.. nevermind https://t.co/QdlOvL0btq
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) June 5, 2018
Long is correct. Not one member of the Super Bowl champion Eagles knelt for the National Anthem last season.
Some have responded to this claim by pointing out that former Eagles cornerback Ron Brooks was kneeling during the National Anthem before a preseason game last year. That is true. But he wasn’t a member of the Super Bowl team. He was released on August 30.
I’d also like to point out that no Eagles player stayed in the locker room during the National Anthem last year, which Donald Trump implied they did in this tweet.
The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018
Maybe he got his Pennsylvania football teams mixed up because the Pittsburgh Steelers did stay in the locker room at one point. Or maybe he just doesn’t care about being truthful. Hard to say.
In any case, it’s pretty pathetic that some people resort to lying and twisting facts to fit their agenda.
Sometimes, it’s just straight up hilarious. Case in point:
Hmm I wonder why pic.twitter.com/pGjIMsM5c5
— Proud_Infidel (@Proud__Infidel) June 5, 2018
As we already explained, Brooks was not a member of the Super Bowl roster. I like how the same picture of him is included twice as if that offers more proof. Elsewhere in the tweet, Torrey Smith is kneeling during pregame warmups.
But the best part of all is that Jason Peters is kneeling in the Eagles’ indoor practice bubble at the NovaCare Complex! He’s not even on a stadium field.
This misinformation spurred some funny parody tweets.
People keep saying the eagles never knelt how do you explain this. Disrespectful pic.twitter.com/E581Zhlbfg
— The Guy from TV's Burn Notice (@OhWowHmm) June 5, 2018
Member of the Philadelphia Eagles sitting down during the National Anthem pic.twitter.com/0RHjBY5Jop
— SmashMike (@Mikelennial) June 5, 2018
Look at all these players napping during the anthem. DEPORT THEM pic.twitter.com/ScWdaEJcRH
— Hank Cautin (@HankCautin) June 5, 2018
this is a disgrace - during the anthem this is how you protest?? pic.twitter.com/Cxgkr63zdp
— CK (@cranekicker) June 5, 2018
People forget the time Sam Bradford took a nap during the anthem. pic.twitter.com/EVPFKOdsaX
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) June 5, 2018
If you feel disappointed in the Eagles for some reason, well, that’s your right. But don’t base your opinions off of straight up lies and propaganda.
...
UPDATE: FOX News issues an apology.
Update: In a statement provided to @usatodaysports, Fox News apologizes for using footage of Eagles players praying in its segment. pic.twitter.com/mGyir1f5dU
— Tom Schad (@Tom_Schad) June 5, 2018