Bill Russell calls President Donald Trump a 'coward' over kneeling comments

Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell wants President Donald Trump to know it takes courage to kneel.

Russell tweeted at Trump on Saturday, calling Trump “divisive” and a “coward” for his comments on kneeling during the national anthem. The 86-year-old told Trump it “takes true courage 2 stand 4 what is right.”

Russell is taking a knee in the photo attached to the tweet.

Russell responded to a tweet in which Trump said people should not protest “our Great American Flag.” Russell responds to that point immediately, saying Trump is using that as a “narrative.” A number of athletes have explained taking a knee during the national anthem has nothing to do with the flag. It was always about police brutality and racial injustice in the United States.

Trump isn’t the only one to claim the protests were disrespectful. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees received plenty of backlash after claiming NFL players who kneel were “disrespecting the flag.” Brees later apologized twice after a number of prominent players — including his own teammates — ripped that statement.

Trump weighed in on Brees’ situation, saying Brees never should have apologized. Brees released another statement explaining to Trump the protests are “not an issue about the American flag.”

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