At least one Louisiana lawmaker wants to cut state tax dollars paid to the New Orleans Saints after several players didn’t stand for the national anthem during yesterday’s game.

St. Francisville Rep. Kenny Havard says they have looked at cutting funding to the Saints in the past. He says the state also rents office space in Benson Tower for an extremely expensive price. In his statement, Havard said:

The very reason (the Saints) have the privilege and opportunity to play professional football while being paid millions is because someone in uniform died protecting their right to do so. It is a disgrace to the men and woman of this nation and state who have sacrificed so much.

President Donald Trump said Friday that owners should fire players who don’t stand for the anthem. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says he disagrees with what the president said:

I disagree with what the President said and how he said it. I think it's very unbecoming of the office of the President of the United States to talk like that, to the great people like that, and, obviously, he's disappointing a lot of people.

But Brees said he would never sit for the anthem. Some fans are posting pictures on social media of black and gold memorabilia on fire.

A report in the Baton Rouge Advocate says the state will pay Tom Benson at least $198 million in increased revenue from the Superdome, $142 million in rental payments on property Benson owns, $10 million in bonuses for bringing the Super Bowl to New Orleans and $2.6 million in tax breaks. Benson will get another $40 million from private rent payments to a tower he bought as part of the deal.

The lease expires in 2025.

But Havard wants to revamp the deal. He says

Disrespecting our national anthem and flag in the name of social injustice is the highest form of hypocrisy, Our free society made possible by our fighting men and women has made available free education, free lunch, housing and free healthcare and is now be considered socially unjust. It is time the taxpayers quit subsidizing protest on big boy playgrounds. I believe in the right to protest but, not at a taxpayer subsidized sporting event. Do it on your own time.

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