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Last season some NFL players kneeled during the anthem to
protest police shootings of unarmed black men, provoking a
controversy. Trump criticized the players for being unpatriotic
and repeatedly demanded an end to such protests.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday a new
policy that will fine teams if players on the field fail to
stand during the "Star-Spangled Banner." Players who choose not
to stand may remain in the locker room until the anthem is
finished.
"I think that's good. I don't think people should be staying in
locker rooms but still I think it's good," Trump told Fox News
in an interview broadcast on Thursday and taped on Wednesday.
"You have to stand, proudly, for the national anthem. Or you
shouldn't be playing, you shouldn't be there. Maybe you
shouldn't be in the country," he said.
The NFL Players Association said it was not consulted on the new
policy and may issue a challenge should it violate the
collective bargaining agreement.
The NAACP also criticized the decision.
"Instead of coming together to address an issue
disproportionately plaguing the African-American, the NFL owners
have chosen to bury their heads and silence players," it said in
a statement.
"Players cannot disconnect from the aggression African-Americans
face every day."
(Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey; Editing by Jon
Boyle and Jeffrey Benkoe)
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