Athletes React to Trump Comments: 'U Bum'

President Trump's war on professional athletes continued a day after he told supporters in Alabama that NFL owners should fire any "son of a bitch" player who protests during the national anthem. "Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team," Trump tweeted Saturday. "Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!" AOL reports the Golden State Warriors were planning to vote on whether the team would accept an invitation to the White House after winning the NBA championship, and Curry had said he would vote against it to send a message to Trump about "what we tolerate in this country." Trump's tweet prompted LeBron James to come to the defense of his fellow superstar: "U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!"

Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement in response to Trump's Friday comments, Fox News reports. Without mentioning the president by name, Goodell said the "divisive" comments showed a "lack of respect" for the NFL and its players. And professional athletes took to social media to weigh in:

• Richard Sherman: "The behavior of the President is unacceptable and needs to be addressed."
• Kobe Bryant: "A #POTUS who's name alone creates division and anger. Who's words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly 'Make America Great Again.'"
• Chris Conley: "When will people learn that fear won’t make someone sit down. It quite possibly will make more stand up for what they believe in."
• Lesean McCoy: "It's really sad man ... our president is a asshole"
• Chris Paul: "With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane"
• Eric Ebron: "Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh."
• Benjamin Watson: "It is a sad day when the #POTUS seeks to disregard and punish American citizens for peacefully exercising their constitutional rights."
• DeMaurice Smith, head of the NFL Players Association: "We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports."

(More Donald Trump stories.)