MEXICO CITY -- President Donald Trump took to Twitter early Monday morning to criticize Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch for standing during the Mexican national anthem but sitting during the anthem for the United States prior to the Raiders' loss to the New England Patriots at Estadio Azteca.
Marshawn Lynch of the NFL's Oakland Raiders stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our National Anthem. Great disrespect! Next time NFL should suspend him for remainder of season. Attendance and ratings way down.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2017
Lynch was actually standing during the first few bars of "The Star-Spangled Banner" on Sunday before taking a seat. And while he stood for the Mexican anthem, he was not completely at attention.
Marshawn Lynch sits during the US national anthem, stands for Mexican anyhem pic.twitter.com/8wdaKprEki
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 19, 2017
In a speech on Sept. 22, Trump said players kneeling or sitting during the anthem should be fired, which prompted much backlash across the league.
Lynch, who has remained seated during the playing of the national anthem since coming out of retirement this season, has not said why he sits. He wore a T-shirt that read "Everybody vs. Trump" prior to the Raiders' game against the Broncos in Denver on Oct. 1.
