The NFL said that President Trump’s tweet saying commissioner Roger Goodell is “demanding” that players stand during the national anthem is “not accurate.”
The league said in a statement Wednesday morning that “commentary this morning about the Commissioner’s position on the Anthem is not accurate.”
{mosads}“The NFL is doing the hard work of trying to move from protest to progress, working to bring people together,” the statement read.
Trump’s tweet on Wednesday morning appeared to be in response to a report that the NFL is considering a rule that would require players to stand during the national anthem.
“It is about time that Roger Goodell of the NFL is finally demanding that all players STAND for our great National Anthem-RESPECT OUR COUNTRY,” Trump tweeted.
The league reiterated a statement from Goodell Tuesday that said NFL owners would discuss a plan on how to move past the protests at the owners meeting next week.
Goodell said owners would discuss a plan that includes features like a platform to share players’ work on “these core issues,” adding that the league will “continue the unprecedented dialogue with our players.”
“Like many of our fans we believe that everyone should stand for the National Anthem. It is an important moment in our game. We want to honor our flag and our country, and our fans expect that of us,” he said.
Trump began attacking NFL players who kneel during the national anthem last month, calling on owners to fire players who demonstrate and for people to walk out of games if they see players kneeling.
NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem last season to protest racial injustice.