Even when the NFL isn’t bringing attention to the anthem issue Jason McCourty Jersey , the President will continue to talk about it.

That’s what he did on Friday morning. Asked by FOX News Channel whether any players have accepted the President’s offer to consider whether any people who have been treated unfairly by the justice system should be pardoned or have their sentences commuted, the President gave an answer — and more.

“No, I haven鈥檛 heard,” he said, via Kyle Griffin of MSNBC. “You know, they鈥檙e all saying, 鈥極h, it has nothing to do with the flag, it鈥檚 the way we鈥檝e been treated.’ In the meantime, they鈥檙e making $15 million a year.”

It’s a brilliant sleight of hand Kentrell Brice Jersey , because part of what he said is accurate. The players definitely are saying, “It has nothing to do with the flag.” But the players definitely aren’t saying, “It’s the way we’ve been treated.”

The players inclined to protest during the anthem are promoting a cause far bigger than themselves. They are concerned about the manner in which American citizens making far, far less than $15 million per year (then again, most NFL players are making far, far less than $15 million per year) are treated by police officers and by the justice system.

The President downplays the concerns by pretending that the concerns relate only to multi-multi-millionaires. That’s just not the case, and no fair-minded person can reasonably see it that way.

“Look, I鈥檓 all for the athletes,” the President added. “I think it鈥檚 great. I love athletics, I love sports. But they shouldn鈥檛 get the politics involved.”

The players didn’t get politics involved. The NFL got the flag involved by forcing the players to leave the locker room for the anthem Y.A. Tittle Jersey , and the NFL then got politics involved by giving players the right to protest during the anthem.

Then, politics got involved in football when the President said he’d like to see an NFL owner respond to a protesting player by saying, “Get that son of a bitch off the field. He’s fired!”

The President closed with a reiteration of a broad statement that applies not only to the players but to everyone else in the venue.

“When you鈥檙e in a stadium and they broadcast that national anthem, you鈥檝e got to stand,” the President said. “And you鈥檝e got to be proud and you鈥檝e got to have your hand up and you鈥檝e got to do everything that鈥檚 right.”

We’ll see if the people who are quick to denigrate those who choose to protest are willing and able to adhere to the same standard, and we’ll see whether the President suggests that those folks maybe should live in a different country, instead of the country that ostensibly gives all citizens the freedom not to stand during the anthem.

The Hitman has made his final tackle.

Former New York Jets linebacker David Harris, second on the team’s career tackles list, retired Friday night after 11 NFL seasons. Harris made the announcement in a statement released on Twitter by his agents .

”After 11 years of having played the greatest team sport at its highest level,” Harris wrote Jerry Rice Jersey , ”it’s now time for me to announce my retirement from the NFL.”

Always understated and humble off the field, Harris was an intense presence on it – earning the nickname ”The Hitman” for his penchant for punishing ball carriers.

He spent his first 10 seasons with the Jets, who drafted him in the second round out of Michigan in 2007. Harris was surprisingly released by New York last June and signed to a two-year contract by AFC East rival New England a few weeks later.

The 34-year-old Harris was mostly a role player with the Patriots, appearing in just 10 regular-season games, and he did not play in any postseason games, including the Super Bowl against Philadelphia.

Harris’ retirement saves the Patriots $2.1 million on their salary cap next season.

He made his mark with the Jets, though, leading the team in tackles in nine of his 10 seasons with them. Harris was also a locker-room leader who was adamant about leading by example with an unquestioned work ethic rather than with his words.

”Players like David Harris don’t come around very often,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said in a statement posted on the team’s website . ”He’s one of the best players and people I’ve ever coached. I have nothing but the highest respect for him as a person and a leader. He is an example of everything you want from a player. I am proud to have coached him and wish him and his family the best.”

Harris’ preference to stay out of the spotlight in New York was a rarity for a player of his skill level and accomplishments. He never sought endorsements or acclaim, but Harris was recognized for his play on the field around the league. He was named a second alternate to the Pro Bowl after both the 2009 – when he was also a second-team All-Pro pick – and 2011 seasons.

Harris was also a playmaking force as the middle linebacker in Rex Ryan’s top defenses during the Jets’ runs to the AFC championship game in the 2009 and ’10 seasons. He was twice selected by his teammates as the Jets’ Dennis Byrd ”Most Inspirational Player” and was the team MVP in 2010.

”David Harris operated at the highest standard for both performance and professionalism and is as fine a person as you will ever meet Adrian Peterson Jersey ,” Jets CEO Christopher Johnson said in a statement. ”His endurance, intelligence and reliability were his trademarks and he was always there for his teammates. With all of those qualities, what stands out most to me is the humility and selflessness with which he approached each day. I wish him and his family the absolute best that life has to offer and they will always have a home with the New York Jets.”

Former teammates also took to social media to congratulate Harris on his retirement.

”A BOSS!” former running back Thomas Jones wrote on Twitter . ”Congratulations to `The Hitman’ David Harris on a great NFL career. Was an honor to share the field with him. Quiet assassin!”

Added former offensive lineman Damien Woody , currently an ESPN analyst: ”Congrats to David `Hitman’ Harris on a stellar 11-yr career. Not much for talking but was definitely bout that action boss!”

Despite Harris’ short stint in New England, he still made a lasting impression on his teammates there. Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy even lobbied for the Jets to someday induct him into their Ring of Honor.

”S/O to my last OG David Harris!” Van Noy wrote. ”Congrats! It was only a year but the impact he had on me will be forever. True professional and the best part about him is he’s truly selfless! Always looking to help and never complained. True leader! Green team better give him a green coat!!!”

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