Political Junkie: Protests on the football field

Tampa Bay Buccaneers players take a knee during anthem
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson, center, takes a knee during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Jim Mone | AP

Football made political headlines this weekend as President Trump called on NFL team owners to "fire or suspend" players who kneel during the national anthem.

In response, more than 200 players chose not to stand for the anthem during Sunday's games, and some teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers skipped the anthem altogether.

Are players who kneel during the anthem showing necessary concern about injustice in America, or disrespect? And, what can we make of President Trump's involvement in the anthem debate?

MPR News host Kerri Miller spoke with Political Junkie Ken Rudin and Washington Post sports reporter Cindy Boren about the latest from Washington and the football field.

Use the audio player above to hear the full segment.

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