Dispatches

VP and Mrs. Pence Left the Colts v. 49’s Game After National Anthem Protests

Vice President Mike Pence and wife Karen Pence left the Indianapolis Colts versus the San Francisco 49’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis after more than twenty 49’s players knelt in protest during the national anthem.

The Veep tweeted out:

ESPN reporter Kevin Seifert wrote:

49ers safety Eric Reid said he believed Pence’s actions were premeditated.

“First of all, does anyone know the last time he’s been to a football game?” Reid said after the game. “OK, with that being said, he tweeted out a 3-year-old photo of him at a Colts game. So with the information that I have, the last time he’s been to a football game is three years ago. So this looks like a PR stunt to me.

“He knew our team has had the most players protest. He knew that we were probably going to do it again. This is what systemic oppression looks like. A man with power comes to the game, tweets a couple things out and leaves the game in an attempt to thwart our efforts. Based on the information I have, that’s the assumption I made.”

A former governor of Indiana, Pence had been in Indianapolis as part of the celebration of Peyton Manning and his jersey retirement and induction into the Colts’ Ring of Honor during Sunday’s game.

It was noted that the pool reporter accompanying the Veep and wife was asked to wait outside the stadium, that the Vice President might be leaving early.

It is entirely plausible that VP Pence and wife discussed what they would do if any players took a knee during the game.

But pre-planned or not, the optics were grand.

I say “Kudos Vice-President and Mrs. Pence!”

The quick exit of our VPOTUS and wife is one protest I can get behind.