Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Does Trump see NFL players as gladiator/slaves?

A Seattle Seahawks player kneels as the national anthem plays before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in Santa Clara.
A Seattle Seahawks player kneels as the national anthem plays before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in Santa Clara. Don Feria Associated Press

Is it any stretch to imagine why Donald Trump wants NFL players to be punished for taking a knee for their beliefs?

Is it possible he is under the delusion they're just modern-day gladiator/slaves, who are paid to struggle in a violent vocation for sheer entertainment and betting purposes, and have no business expressing their unity?

Rick Flores, Fresno

This story was originally published November 29, 2017 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Does Trump see NFL players as gladiator/slaves?."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER