Verlander issues apology for disputed All Lives Matter tweet
Justin Verlander has apologized for his controversial #AllLivesMatter hashtag on Twitter. The Detroit Tigers ace drew the ire of some social media users for questioning athletes who protest during national anthems.
I meant that I hope we can all stand together to see that change happens.
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) October 10, 2016
Verlander's initial tweet came shortly after Sunday's series-clinching, walk-off win by the Toronto Blue Jays, when a handful of former athletes - including Casey Stern, Gary Sheffield, Jimmy Rollins, and Pedro Martinez - were shown singing "O Canada" on TBS.
Just sang the Canadian national anthem on TBS and we here in America can't stand together for our anthem. #alllivesmatter #TogetherStronger
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) October 10, 2016
The reaction on Twitter was less than positive, with a flurry of replies from people defending athletes who refuse to stand during national anthems.