A group representing the mothers of NFL players sent a letter to President Donald Trump, scolding him for disrespecting protesting athletes with comments designed to "promote anger and hatred."
The letter from the Professional Football Players Mothers Association came in the wake of Trump's remarks during an Alabama rally it would be great to see an NFL owner say to a protesting athlete, "Get that son of a bitch off the field right now."
"[We] believe in promoting a positive image of professional football players as athletes and young men of character," the moms wrote, according to BuzzFeed News, which obtained the letter.
"It saddens the organization to know that President Donald Trump would make our sons — as well as their mothers — the target of inflammatory, offensive comments that are intended to promote anger and hatred, depleting them of their heritage and self-identity."
"Whether it be by kneeling or standing with their arms locked, our sons have chosen this platform to get the message out about social justice and unity, and they will always have our support," they added, concluding: "Let's put a stop to the divisive language and start a productive dialogue for positive change."
The group's president, Michele Green — mother of former NFL offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie — told BuzzFeed News she was appalled at Trump's remarks and knew she wanted to respond as a group of mothers in part because the criticism amounted to bullying.
Green said they want to communicate to Trump that hate "just won't do" — and they also felt personally attacked.
"We know our self-worth as mothers," Green told BuzzFeed News. "We're not what he said we were."
The White House was unbowed.
Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday that Trump's stance on the issue is "black and white."
"I don't think there's much to clarify," she told reporters, BuzzFeed News reported.
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