Business & Tech

Amidst 'Take A Knee' Protests, Fairfax Bar Won't Show NFL Games

The Fairfax bar owner says NFL games won't be shown "until there is a stop to this foolishness."

FAIRFAX, VA—If you want to catch the football games on TV in Fairfax, take note that one sports bar is no longer showing them.

Fat Tuesday's announced it would stop playing NFL games in light of the players' "Take a Knee" controversy, ABC 7 reports. The bar is located at 10673 Braddock Road, near George Mason University.

Many NFL players joined in on the protests after President Trump said NFL players who kneel during the national anthem should be fired. During the league's games on Sunday, some protested by taking a knee during the anthem, others locking arms and one team stayed in the locker room as the "Star Spangled Banner" played. At the Redskins-Raiders game, most Redskins stood and linked arms during the anthem while most Oakland Raiders remained seated.

Find out what's happening in Burkefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

(SIGN UP: Subscribe to a Virginia Patch News Alert and Newsletter. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

In a Facebook post Tuesday, Fat Tuesday owner RL Butler wrote in that he's taking a stand against the players protesting at games over the weekend. He cited as the reason his daughter who served in Afghanistan.

Find out what's happening in Burkefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"To Our Valued Customers:
As proud parents of an active duty member of the US Army and a veteran of Afghanistan, we stand on the side of our brave men & women in uniform not the men in sports costumes that take a knee and disrespect our country, our National Anthem, our military and our veterans.
We place a much higher value on our great country then any sporting event. Therefore, we will not be showing any NFL games at Fat Tuesday's until there is a stop to this foolishness.
Sincerely, RL & Karen Butler"

Reactions from locals have been mixed in the fiery debate.




What do you make of Fat Tuesday's decision not to show NFL games? Let us know in the comments.

Photo: Several New England Patriots players kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, MA. Photo by Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.