News

Actions

Sports bar in Kentucky to host 'NFL jersey burning' party

Posted at 7:38 AM, Sep 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-29 10:19:29-04

WILDER, Ky. -- Top Ten Sports Bar in Wilder, Kentucky "is FED UP," according to a Facebook post.

The bar is hosting a "Patriotism Day" celebration on Sunday during game time, noon to 4 p.m. local time. Essentially, patrons will gather and burn NFL jerseys at the bar. The event is being held in response to an ongoing clash between the NFL and President Donald Trump.

Last Sunday, more than 100 NFL players sat, took a knee or raised their fists during the National Anthem. The movement was started last year by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled during the anthem to protest racial inequality -- specifically police brutality and a lack of prosecution and conviction of officers who shoot and kill unarmed black men.

RELATED: NFL protests to Trump comments draw mixed reaction

Some, mostly conservative, Americans are critical of the protests, saying it's disrespectful to veterans and service members. When Trump tweeted that NFL players who don't stand for the anthem should be fired, owners and teams went to greater lengths to make some sort of demonstration of unity.

In Dallas, prolific Trump supporter and Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones kneeled with the coaches and players before the start of the anthem. In Pittsburgh, the Steelers decided to stay in their locker room for the National Anthem before their game against the Chicago Bears.

“If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!” the president said in a tweet.

The Top Ten event says it's the "first local burning of any and all NFL merchandise."

"The patrons of the Top 10 Sports Bar are extremely patriotic, and like MOST Americans, have HAD ENOUGH of the disrespect the NFL has shown our beloved American flag and our National Anthem," the Facebook event said.

Radio personality and embattled local attorney Eric Deters, cousin of Prosecutor Joe Deters, will be at the event.

The bar said it plans to give away prizes to patrons who burn merchandise on Sunday.

So far, on Facebook, five people are going and 11 people are interested in the event.