Panthers Fans React to Trump Tweets and NFL Protests

CHARLOTTE, NC – Sunday as players across the league took a knee or locked arms, a different scene on the Carolina sidelines.

“We believe in America. We support our military. We support our first responders.. we certainly, most certainly do not, do not believe in racism and bigotry and we want to see that out of this country,” Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera said after the game.

All Panthers players on the field stood for the National Anthem.

The one exception, defensive end Julius Peppers, who stayed in the locker room.

“I felt like he attacked our brothers, my brothers in the league, so I felt like it was appropriate to stand up for them and stay in the locker room,” Peppers said.

On the other bench, several Saints players remained seated.

Some fans we talked with at the game say they don’t like the mix of sports and politics and the president inserting himself into the debate.

“From the president’s standpoint, stay in your lane. This isn’t your world. This is not your world,” says fan Chip Albright.

He says he gets why so many NFL players are upset.

“Well from the players perspective I completely understand where they’re coming from. I mean it’s a peaceful way for them to get their message across to the president,” Albright says.

Trump says he’s upset about the message the protests send to soldiers and the military.

“They should be treated with respect. And when you get on your knee and you don’t respect the American Flag or the anthem, that’s not being treated with respect,” Trump said.

But football fan A.B. Bowens says the president’s words are only creating more division.

“The things that separate us, the things that we differ apart.. I think we need to lessen the attention to that,” Bowens says.