This may not be the first time David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers and hedge fund mogul, has voiced his disagreements with Donald Trump but this time he took the subliminal route. Tepper said Trump’s attacks on players who protest during the national anthem is “the biggest pile of bull-dinky ever.”
In an interview with CNBC, Tepper said, “NFL players are the most patriotic people in the country — with substantial charitable contributions to their local communities.” He recited the #PledgeOfAllegiance and emphasized the “justice for all” part…for obvious reasons. And although he never mentioned Trump by name, his references to Howdy Doody and “the red headed guy in #DC” made it all too clear.
Last week, Trump used his favorite public forum, #Twitter, to express his beliefs on the decrease in ratings this #NFL season. He tweeted, “If the players stood proudly for our Flag and Anthem, and it is all shown on broadcast, maybe ratings could come back? Otherwise worse!”
Trump has been involved in an on-going battle with the NFL and its players over players kneeling during the national anthem as a protest against police injustice. Tepper used #CamNewton and their team’s charitable organization to counter Trump’s negative remarks against the protests, stating that the foundation is “committed to enhancing the lives of youth by addressing their education, physical and social needs.”
