DETROIT – Detroit Pistons coach and team president Stan Van Gundy opened Pistons media day on Monday with a statement on athletes protesting the National Anthem over the weekend.
Here's what Van Gundy said in a statement:
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"While it is unfortunate that our current president has made out national anthem a divisive issue, the positive is that people are now talking about some very important problems.
There are serious issues of inequality and injustice in this country. People of conscience are compelled to oppose racism, sexism and intolerance of people of different sexual identities and orientation wherever they see it.
I stand with those opposing such bigotry. I as an individual and the Detroit Pistons as an organization support diversity, inclusion and equality.
I was proud of the statement that our owner Tom Gores released this morning.
I applaud the professional athletes using their platform to voice their opinions. I encourage our players to be engaged, involved citizens. Peaceful protest is a hallmark of our democracy and has been an impetus for social change throughout our history. While people can differ on the issues, no one should seek to discourage freedom of speech. The athletes involved in these protests should be respected for exercising their right of free speech in an appropriate and non-violent manner."
This isn't the first time Van Gundy has expressed feelings about President Trump.
Back in November, Van Gundy told the media he has no respect for Trump voter:
"It's embarrassing. I have been ashamed of a lot of things that have happened in this country, but I can't say I've ever been ashamed of our country until today. Until today. We all have to find our way to move forward, but that was - and I'm not even trying to make a political statement. To me, that's beyond politics. You don't get to come out and talk about people like that, and then lead our country and have millions of Americans embrace you. I'm having a hard time being with people. I'm going to walk into this arena tonight and realize that -- especially in this state -- most of these people voted for the guy. Like, (expletive), I don't have any respect for that. I don't."