Lenny Curry: Pledge protests are ‘stupid,’ yet constitutionally protected

On Monday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry weighed in on the decision of numerous Jacksonville Jaguars to kneel during the National Anthem Sunday.

A brief statement from his office contended that, while not honoring the pledge is “stupid,” it’s also protected by the United States Constitution.

“I stand and cover my heart for the pledge and the anthem. I think it’s stupid to do otherwise. The US Constitution protects the right for a lot of people to do a lot of stupid things,” Curry said.

“I am a Constitutional Conservative, so I respect the wisdom of our Founders. However,” Curry added, “I am focused on storm recovery, public safety and making Jacksonville a great city.”

Curry — who has co-branded with the Jaguars and owner Shad Khan since his election — is at odds with the team and the owner on an issue for the first time in over two years.

Even before the game, Jaguars and Florida Gators legend Fred Taylor said that everyone in the NFL should take a knee before Sunday’s games.

Cornerback A.J. Bouye, who kneeled, took issue with the President’s description of kneeling players as “sons of b******.”

“It holds close to home with me because what you say about us, you’re disrespecting our mums. I lost my mum to cancer. My step-mum came in, I know she’s not what he’s calling her. She’s got her doctorate from Ohio State.

“When you’re five years old and you’re seeing your dad have a gun pointed at his head because he looks suspicious in the neighbourhood at 6am because he’s dropping his son off at a babysitter, it’s not about race. It’s not about black and white, it’s about right and wrong,” Bouye told the London Independent.

Another defender, Malik Jackson, lauded Jaguars owner Shad Khan for standing with his players, calling Khan’s endorsement “a blessing because you don’t have to worry about that backlash.”

Khan had lamented the “divisive and contentious remarks made by President Trump,” which “make it harder” to heal demographic divisions.

Council President Anna Brosche addressed the controversy on Sunday also, standing in support of the National Anthem, while avoiding discussions of whether or not kneeling was “stupid.”

“As a Navy brat and a Navy wife, whose father and husband have defended our country,” Brosche said from London Sunday afternoon, “my pride for the American flag and all it represents runs deep.

“I appreciate those who stood for the flag and chose to show unity through locking arms, and  while I personally would never sit or kneel during the playing of our anthem,” Brosche added, “I also believe in the right of free speech protected by our Constitution, for which our American flag also stands.”