AndrewBlakePasadena, California – Hall of Fame baseball announcer Vin Scully told a crowd that he would never watch another NFL game” because of the anti-police protests of the national anthem. (Video below)
“I have only one personal thought, really. And I am so disappointed. And I used to love, during the fall and winter, to watch the NFL on Sunday,” Scully said.
“And it’s not that I’m some great patriot. I was in the Navy for a year — didn’t go anywhere, didn’t do anything. But I have overwhelming respect and admiration for anyone who puts on a uniform and goes to war. So the only thing I can do in my little way is not to preach. I will never watch another NFL game.”
Scully made his comments at the Pasadena Civic Center at an event called “An Evening With Vin Scully.” He was asked about his thoughts on the NFL protests.
Scully, 89, was the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 1950 until he retired in 2016. He was broadcasting the April 25, 1976 game at Dodger Stadium when two men ran into the outfield from the stands and tried to set fire to an American flag.
While they were trying to light the fire, Dodgers outfielder Rick Monday swooped in from his position and grabbed the American flag before it was set fire.
“I’m not sure what he is doing out there,” Scully said during the broadcast. “It looks like he is going to burn a flag and Rick Monday runs and takes it away from him. And so Monday – I think that guy was going to set fire to the American flag. Can you imagine that?”
The website Deadspin ran Scully’s comments with this headline: Old Retired White Man Has Opinion You’d Expect On National Anthem Demonstrations”
Watch Vin Scully give his views on the NFL national anthem protests below: