Carolina Panthers owner gets candid about NFL players' protests

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — David Tepper was known for his bold moves and blunt talk before he became the owner of the Carolina Panthers. Roughly two months after taking control of the local NFL franchise, his style remains an indicator of a new era for the team.

In an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Tepper was asked about the continuing controversy over NFL players who have taken a knee during the playing of the national anthem as a protest against police brutality and racial inequities. While some networks have stopped airing the song on TV broadcasts of NFL games and the number of players carrying out demonstrations this season has dwindled, President Donald Trump continues to stoke outrage, claiming such protests are “disrespectful.”

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Tepper’s take on that? It’s a big “pile of bull-dingy.”

“These are some of the most patriotic people and best people. These are great young men,” he told CNBC’s Scott Wapner. “So to say that [they aren’t patriotic] makes me so aggravated and angry. It’s just wrong, it’s dead wrong.”

Read the full story and watch clips of the interview here.

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