Pats owner Robert Kraft responds to President Trump's comments on NFL

Days after President Donald Trump commented on NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, members of the league are responding.

During a rally in Alabama on Friday night, President Trump commented on the ongoing trend of NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem

"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you'd say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He's fired,'" said Trump.

By Saturday, the league and its players' union responded. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement saying in part, "Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players."

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DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, tweeted: "We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports."

On Sunday, Patriots owner and CEO Robert Kraft released his own statement.

Other Patriots, as well as many other players and owners, have tweeted in response to the president's comments.

Trump took to Twitter again Sunday morning, reiterating his stance, and even blaming a decline in ratings on players 'disrespecting our flag and country'

"If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend! NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S."

This is not the first time Trump has raised the kneeling issue. Earlier this year he took credit for the fact that Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who played for the San Francisco 49ers last year, hadn't been signed by an NFL team for this season.

Cox Media Group