Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz found himself at the center of a national controversy on Tuesday morning after a picture of himself kneeling in prayer was used by Fox News in a segment about President Donald Trump’s decision to rescind the reigning Super Bowl champions’ invitation to the White House.
Fox News could not find any footage of Eagles players kneeling in protest because Philadelphia was one of eight NFL teams that saw its entire roster stand for the national anthem throughout the regular season.
Instead, Ertz was one of several Philadelphia players pictured praying as the network’s anchor discussed the president’s decision, which came after learning that only a small contingent of Eagles were expected to attend the scheduled White House gathering on Tuesday.
‘Praying before games with my teammates, well before the anthem, is being used for your propaganda?!’ Ertz wrote on Twitter. ‘Just sad, I feel like you guys should have to be better than this…’
Ertz was not kneeling in protest, as the Fox News segment suggested he was
Ertz took issue with Fox News’ decision to run a picture of him kneeling in prayer
Zach Ertz and the Eagles had their invitation to the White House rescinded by President Trump
Ertz was furious to see that pictures of he and his teammates kneeling in prayer was being used by Fox News in a segment about Trump’s ongoing battle with the NFL
Trump has been at odds with the NFL over players raising awareness about inequality and police brutality against minorities by refusing to stand during the national anthem.
Several Eagles players, such as safety Malcolm Jenkins and defensive end Chris Long, have been outspoken advocates for social change and both players previously indicated that they did not plan on attending the event.
Trump has been extremely critical of the NFL, which amended its national anthem policy recently to allow players to remain in the locker room, if they choose, while requiring anyone team personnel on the field to stand during The Star-Spangled Banner. Now teams can face fines for any players on the field that refuse to stand for the anthem. Those teams would then have the right to fine any protesting players individually.
Instead of hailing Eagles players for their work on the field and in their community, the White House is staging a ‘Celebration of America’ featuring music provided by U.S. military bands and choruses.
Malcolm Jenkins #27 and Ron Brooks #33 of the Eagles raise their fists in protest during the national anthem before a game last year. Trump disinvited the team from the White House event rather than see a tiny contingent show up for what had been a scheduled gathering
‘We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3pm, The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!’ Trump tweeted.
In a separate tweet, he named the championship teams that have visited the White House during his presidency, including the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Penguins, New England Patriots and some college sports teams.
Trump’s announcement was the latest signal that tensions remain high around the NFL protests that began in 2016 when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began silently kneeling on the sidelines during the anthem. Kaepernick’s protest was intended to raise awareness around systemic racism and, specifically, the killing of black men by police.
![The president mocked the NFL, tweeting: '[N]o escaping to Locker Rooms!'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/05/12/4CEE341800000578-5807639-image-a-2_1528198638261.jpg)
The president mocked the NFL, tweeting: ‘[N]o escaping to Locker Rooms!’
And NASCAR too: Trump let a half-hour go by before adding stock car racing to his list of sports that have been represented at the White House during his administration
Trump said in a statement Monday that some Eagles players ‘disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.’
He said the team wanted to send a smaller delegation Tuesday, but ‘the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better.’
None of the Eagles took a knee during the anthem in 2017.
One person set to attend the ceremony told The Associated Press less than half of the team’s 53-man roster planned to go to the White House. The person spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the decision.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney on Tuesday criticized Trump’s decision and questioned Trump’s patriotism.
‘When he had the opportunity to serve his country for real, his father got him out of it, and I think it’s really disingenuous for him to talk about patriotism in any way shape or form,’ Kenney told CNN, referring to military deferments Trump obtained that kept him from being sent to Vietnam during the war.
Trump offered his podium to 2017 NASCAR Cup champion Martin Truex Jr., during a ceremony for him and his racing team on the South Lawn of the White House on May 21
Kenney earlier had called Trump ‘a fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size and afraid of the embarrassment of throwing a party to which no one wants to attend.’
Last week, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins said he would not attend the ceremony and participate in a group photo to ‘to avoid being used as any kind of pawn.’ In addition to Jenkins, defensive end Chris Long was the most outspoken player against going. Quarterback Carson Wentz had planned to attend.
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about what prompted the change of plans and why the circumstances were different from other events honoring winning teams, such as the NFL’s New England Patriots. Some Patriots players boycotted the visit.
Trump wrote on Twitter late Monday that ‘Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event.’
Several players asked about Trump’s decision declined to respond. A statement from the Eagles did not directly addressing the White House cancellation.
‘Watching the entire Eagles community come together has been an inspiration,’ the team statement read. ‘We are truly grateful for all of the support we have received and we are looking forward to continuing our preparations for the 2018 season.’
Wide receiver Torrey Smith, who said previously that he planned to skip the visit, responded with a series of tweets.
‘So many lies,’ he wrote, adding, ‘Not many people were going to go.’
Eagles Quarterback Nick Foles, left, and the team celebrate in the Super Bowl Victory Parade in February. The team will not be invited to the White House after fallout over the anthem
Smith, who played with the Eagles before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in March, added: ‘No one refused to go simply because Trump ‘insists’ folks stand for the anthem. … The President continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti-military.’
He went on: ‘There are a lot of people on the team that have plenty of different views. The men and women that wanted to go should’ve been able to go. It’s a cowardly act to cancel the celebration because the majority of the people don’t want to see you. To make it about the anthem is foolish.’
Trump praised the NFL’s new anthem policy after the league announced it last month. The policy forbids players from sitting or taking a knee on the field during the anthem but allows them to stay in the locker room. Violations would result in fines against the teams.
‘I think that’s good,’ Trump told ‘Fox & Friends’ in an interview last month. ‘I don’t think people should be staying in the locker rooms, but still I think it’s good. You have to stand proudly for the national anthem. Or you shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there. Maybe you shouldn’t be in the country.’
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., invited the Eagles to visit Capitol Hill instead.
‘I’m proud of what the @Eagles accomplished this year. I’m skipping this political stunt at the White House and just invited the Eagles to Congress. @Eagles How about a tour of the Capitol?’ he wrote.
White House legislative director Marc Short told CNN he didn’t know who had canceled on whom, but said, ‘It’s unfortunate when politics gets in the middle of this.’
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the president is ‘a fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size and afraid of the embarrassment of throwing a party to which no one wants to attend’