Donald Trump's quotes vs. the sports world in 2017

“Good luck, Bob. Your friend Tom just called, he feels good. He called to congratulate us, he feels good. Good luck. You’re going to do great.” -Donald Trump at a dinner party

In a speech where he was ostensibly there to thank all of his campaign donors, he called out Patriots owner Robert Kraft and told the audience that Tom Brady called to congratulate him on winning the presidency. 

“I know Mark Cuban well. He backed me big-time but I wasn't interested in taking all of his calls. He's not smart enough to run for president!” -Donald Trump via Twitter

After Donald Trump was elected president, Mark Cuban urged CEOs to “be an American citizen first” instead of just cozying up to Trump. President Trump was not a fan.

"Our inner cities will find a rebirth of hope, safety and opportunity. Your San Francisco quarterback, I'm sure nobody ever heard of him. It was reported that NFL owners don't want to pick him up because they don't want to get a nasty tweet from Donald Trump. Do you believe that? I just saw that. I just saw that. I said if I remember that one I'm going to report it to the people of Kentucky. They like it when people actually stand for the American flag." -Donald Trump during a speech in Kentucky

During a rally speech in Kentucky, Trump took credit for NFL teams not wanting to sign Colin Kaepernick after a Bleacher Report story quoted an unnamed AFC general manager saying, “some teams fear the backlash from fans after getting him. They think there might be protests or [President Donald] Trump will tweet about the team. I'd say that number is around 10 percent.” 

“Failing @nytimes, which has been calling me wrong for two years, just got caught in a big lie concerning New England Patriots visit to W.H.” -Donald Trump on Twitter

Following the Patriots' visit to the White House, the New York Times published a photo comparison of the 2015 and 2017 New England visits to the White House. The 2015 photo shows many more attendees than the 2017 photo. It was later reported that many of the Patriots' staff sat on the front lawn instead of standing on the stairs during the ceremony. While fewer players attended in 2017, reports indicated that the number of people in the organization who showed up in 2017 was about the same as the 2015 visit.

"You believed in yourselves, you believed in each other, and you won a championship victory for the ages. It's one of the greatest games I ever watched, actually." -Donald Trump in speech during Clemson’s visit to the White House

There was nothing noteworthy or controversial about Clemson’s visit to the White House, just the fact that Dabo Swinney’s Tigers were one of the few teams with a national profile that actually visited President Trump in 2017.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He’s fired! He’s fired!’” -Donald Trump during a speech in Alabama

With the debate about protests during the national anthem picking back up after the year of Kaepernick, Trump expressed his displeasure with a call for NFL owners to take the situation into their own hands by firing those who participate. 

“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!” -Donald Trump on Twitter

During the Golden State Warriors’ media day, Steph Curry told reporters, “I don’t want to go,” when asked about a potential visit to the White House. “That’s kind of the nucleus of my belief, (But) it’s not just me going to the White House. If it was, this would be a pretty short conversation.” After seeing these comments, President Trump responded directly to Curry via Twitter to rescind the invitation.

“If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect....

“...our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do! 

“Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country. Tell them to stand!” Donald Trump via a series of tweets 

Following President Trump’s comments at the Alabama rally, the NFL issued a statement that said, "Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.” After the statement was released, Trump doubled down on his comments, reiterating that players who kneel during the national anthem should be fired from the NFL.

“So proud of NASCAR and its supporters and fans. They won't put up with disrespecting our Country or our Flag - they said it loud and clear!” -Donald Trump via Twitter

Just days after Trump took shots at the NFL for player protests, the NASCAR community made it clear where it stood on the issue. Richard Petty said, "Anybody that don't stand up for the anthem oughta be out of the country," when asked about the NFL’s player protests. Owner Richard Childress shared a similar sentiment when he said, "Anybody that works for me should respect the country we live in. So many people gave their lives for it. This is America."

President Trump took note and tweeted his support for those in the NASCAR community who see the debate the same way he does.

“Please to inform that the Champion Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL will be joining me at the White House for Ceremony. Great team!” -Donald Trump on Twitter

After the Warriors declined to visit the White House and the University of North Carolina men’s basketball team followed suit, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they would join President Trump at the nation’s capital. The University of South Carolina women’s basketball team waited over six months for an invitation following its national title. 

“With Jemele Hill at the mike, it is no wonder ESPN ratings have 'tanked,' in fact, tanked so badly it is the talk of the industry!” -Donald Trump via Twitter

After a series of tweets in which ESPN’s Jemele Hill called President Trump a white supremacist, the president responded back saying that she was a part of the reason ESPN’s ratings were down while Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that the tweet was a “fireable offense.” Hill was later suspended by ESPN for tweets about the NFL, which led to the network updating its social media policy. 

“I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.” -Donald Trump on Twitter

Vice President Mike Pence showed up to a Colts game and left extremely early after players protested during the national anthem. Many believed that the move was a publicity stunt, especially after learning that Trump instructed Pence to leave the game if any players protested. The Colts were hosting the 49ers, a team that employs Eric Reid, who kneeled next to Colin Kaepernick all of last season and has continued to kneel in 2017.

“The NFL has decided that it will not force players to stand for the playing of our National Anthem. Total disrespect for our great country!

“.@NFL: Too much talk, not enough action. Stand for the National Anthem.” -Donald Trump on Twitter

Following meetings between the NFL and a collection of NFL players, reports came out that the NFL would not force players to stand during the national anthem with Commissioner Roger Goodell saying that he would prefer for players to stand. President Trump, not a fan of giving the players the choice, tweeted out his displeasure for players continuing their protest. 

“Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!” -Donald Trump via Twitter

Three UCLA men’s basketball players, including LiAngelo Ball, brother of Lonzo, son of Lavar, were arrested for shoplifting in China. President Trump reached out to the Chinese government in hopes to send the players back home. After their safe return, Trump wondered on Twitter whether the players would thank the president. 

“Now that the three basketball players are out of China and saved from years in jail, LaVar Ball, the father of LiAngelo, is unaccepting of what I did for his son and that shoplifting is no big deal. I should have left them in jail!

“Shoplifting is a very big deal in China, as it should be (5-10 years in jail), but not to father LaVar. Should have gotten his son out during my next trip to China instead. China told them why they were released. Very ungrateful!”

Following Trump wondering aloud whether UCLA players would thank him for their safe return to the United States, LiAngelo’s father, LaVar said, "Who? What was he over there for? Don't tell me nothing. Everybody wants to make it seem like he helped me out." 

Trump, took offense to LaVar’s unwillingness to recognize what he had done for his son and responded back to the Ball father on Twitter. 

“Marshawn Lynch of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our National Anthem. Great disrespect! Next time NFL should suspend him for remainder of season. Attendance and ratings way down.” -Donald Trump via Twitter

Before the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots kicked off in Mexico City, Marshawn Lynch sat for the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" while standing for Mexico’s national anthem. Lynch has been sitting for the U.S. national anthem for years, but this did not keep President Trump from noticing Lynch standing for Mexico’s anthem. 

“It wasn’t the White House, it wasn’t the State Department, it wasn’t father LaVar’s so-called people on the ground in China that got his son out of a long term prison sentence - IT WAS ME. Too bad! LaVar is just a poor man’s version of Don King, but without the hair. Just think..

“...LaVar, you could have spent the next 5 to 10 years during Thanksgiving with your son in China, but no NBA contract to support you. But remember LaVar, shoplifting is NOT a little thing. It’s a really big deal, especially in China. Ungrateful fool!” -Donald Trump via Twitter

LaVar Ball was interviewed Chris Cuomo and, during the course of the interview, reiterated that he did not believe that President Trump had anything to do with his son returning home and questioned why the president was focusing on him instead of larger issues surrounding the country. Two days later, Trump responded back on Twitter calling LaVar ungrateful. 

“At least 24 players kneeling this weekend at NFL stadiums that are now having a very hard time filling up. The American public is fed up with the disrespect the NFL is paying to our Country, our Flag and our National Anthem. Weak and out of control!” -Donald Trump on Twitter

Trump took time out of his busy day to lambast the NFL for continuing to allow players to kneel during the national anthem. For almost two seasons now, Trump has tried to paint a picture that attributes falling ratings and ticket sales to protests during the national anthem.