Fox News Flash top headlines for August 9
Fox News Flash top headlines for August 9 are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills addressed his tweet criticizing the team’s owner, Stephen Ross, for throwing a fundraiser for President Trump while also running a non-profit focused on equality.
Stills told reporters after the team’s game Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons that his comments aren’t political and there’s a contradiction in Ross supporting racial equality and Trump.
MIAMI DOLPHINS OWNER FIRES BACK AFTER ANTI-TRUMP ACTIVISTS PLAN EQUINOX, SOULCYCLE BOYCOTTS
“It's not right,” Stills said. “Our country is in a rough place right now. I think there are other candidates he could support, but it's not about Democrat or Republican. It's about why are you trying to help this man raise money to continue to do the things he has been doing.”
The wide receiver, who is among NFL players still kneeling during the national anthem, said he has received between five and 10 death threats on social media over his tweet.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills kneels during the national anthem before the team's preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
“It is what it is,” he said. “I’ll be OK.”
Ross owns the RISE organization. RISE stands for Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality. The group’s mission statement reads: “We are a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.”
MIAMI DOLPHINS' KENNY STILLS JABS TEAM'S OWNER OVER TRUMP FUNDRAISER
Trump is set to attend a luncheon in Southampton, New York, at Ross’ home Friday, according to The Washington Post. Tickets for the photo-op and lunch reportedly cost $100,000 and the ability to be a part of a roundtable discussion with the president costs $250,000.
Stills tweeted: “You can’t have a non profit with this mission statement then open your doors to Trump.”
Still said he still hasn’t spoken to Ross since the tweet, but plans to at some point. He said he doesn’t’ feel any ill will toward Ross.
Ross released a statement on the issue, saying: “I have always been an active participant in the democratic process. I have known Donald Trump for 40 years, and while we agree on some issues, we strongly disagree on many others and I have never been bashful about expressing my opinions.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Ross added that he wanted to help support Trump’s reelection campaign because he likes to “engage directly and support the things I deeply care about.”
Fox News’ Dom Calicchio and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.