Former Eagles receiver Torrey Smith said Trump canceling White House visit is 'a cowardly act'
The Philadelphia Eagles were scheduled to visit The White House on Tuesday to celebrate their Super Bowl victory, however The White House issued a statement on Monday afternoon canceling that visit.
Trump has just issued this statement about the Philadelphia Eagles' visit tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/ERm042RzwS
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) June 4, 2018
Former Philadelphia wide receiver Torrey Smith, who was on the Eagles’ Super Bowl team and now plays for the Carolina Panthers, quickly reacted to the news on Twitter.
So many lies smh
Here are some facts
1. Not many people were going to go
2. No one refused to go simply because Trump “insists” folks stand for the anthem
3. The President continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military pic.twitter.com/89GUNhJ4eE— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 4, 2018
“So many lies smh,” Smith tweeted. “Here are some facts. 1. Not many people were going to go. 2. No one refused to go simply because Trump ‘insists’ folks stand for the anthem. 3. The President continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military.”
President Donald Trump cited protests during the national anthem as the main reason for canceling the visit, which Smith called “a cowardly act.” It was not clear how many Eagles players had intended to make the visit in the first place, however ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that “most — if not all — of the black players” on the Eagles had decided not to go.
There are a lot of people on the team that have plenty of different views. The men and women that wanted to go should’ve been able to go. It’s a cowardly act to cancel the celebration because the majority of the people don’t want to see you. To make it about the anthem is foolish
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 4, 2018
“There are a lot of people on the team that have plenty of different views,” Smith tweeted. “The men and women that wanted to go should’ve been able to go. It’s a cowardly act to cancel the celebration because the majority of the people don’t want to see you. To make it about the anthem is foolish.”
Smith said in February that he wouldn’t attend the visit, but he didn’t cite the national anthem as his main reason.
Philadelphia Eagles wise receiver Torrey Smith said in February that most of his teammates wouldn’t go to the White House. Here was his reason. Sounds about right. pic.twitter.com/12vyVBn1LB
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) June 5, 2018
Charlie Kirk, the Director of Turning Point USA, was one of many who tweeted after The White House cancelled the visit in support of the decision.
“If you refuse to stand for the national anthem you have no business being honored at the White House or by hour President,” Kirk tweeted.
If you refuse to stand for the national anthem you have no business being honored at the White House or by our President
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 4, 2018
However, Smith quickly responded. He quote-tweeted Kirk and said that no Eagles player took a knee last season for the national anthem, completely voiding Kirk’s argument.
If you are going to tweet…tweet facts…no one on the Eagles took a knee last season………. https://t.co/7aiTuvVKe8
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 5, 2018
Smith is entering his eighth season in the NFL. He had 36 receptions for 430 yards and two touchdowns last season, and had five receptions for 49 yards in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Patriots.
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