Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf change course, issue a statement on Trump's comments

September 24, 2017 at 4:53PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013 file photo, Minnesota Vikings owners Mark, left, and Zygi Wilf walk on the field prior to the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. The majority owners of the Minnesota Vikings are joining a group trying to bring a Major League Soccer expansion franchise to Nashville. Mark, Zygi and Leonard Wilf are minority owners in the Nashville project, according to Nashville Soccer Holdings CEO John R. Ingram, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
(Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf have changed course and have now issued a statement responding to President Donald Trump's remarks about NFL players kneeling during the national anthem.

Here is the statement: "Professional sports offer a platform unlike any other, a platform that can bring people from a variety of backgrounds together to impact positive change in our society. As owners, it is our job to foster an environment that recognizes and appreciates diversity of thought and encourages using this platform in a constructive manner. Rather than make divisive statements, we believe in promoting thoughtful, inspiring conversation that unifies our communities. We are proud of our players, coaches and staff for the important role they play in our community, and we fully support their constitutional right to respectufully and peacefully express their beliefs."

— Zygi and Mark Wilf and the entire Wilf family.

Goodell condemned Trump's remarks, saying, "Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities."

View post on X

Several other owners around the NFL issued statements separate from the league regarding Trump's comments and how their respective teams would respond.

View post on X

Vikings running back Bishop Sankey chimed in on Twitter.

View post on X

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

See More