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title: Donald Trump: NFL Owners Are &#x27;Afraid of Their Players&#x27;
description: In his latest commentary on on NFL national anthem protests, President Donald Trump said that team owners are &quot;afraid&quot; of their players
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article:published_time: 2017-09-28T12:45:51.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-02-23T17:38:24.966Z
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og:title: Trump: NFL Owners Are &#x27;Afraid of Their Players&#x27;
og:description: &quot;I think they&#x27;re afraid of their players, you want to know the truth&quot;
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twitter:title: Trump: NFL Owners Are &#x27;Afraid of Their Players&#x27;
twitter:description: &quot;I think they&#x27;re afraid of their players, you want to know the truth&quot;
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# Donald Trump: NFL Owners Are Afraid of Their Players

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by 

[Lisa Marie Segarra](https://time.com/author/lisa-marie-segarra/)


## Lisa Marie Segarra


Sep 28, 2017 12:45 PM UTC

![President Trump Holds Joint Press Conference With Prime Minister Of Spain](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltba9c83915c4e7856/6988df8ebc6cfcc2eb3e342f/donald-trump-tax-reform-livestream.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

President Donald Trump speaks during a joint news conference with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at the Rose Garden of the White House on Sept. 26, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump speaks during a joint news conference with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at the Rose Garden of the White House on Sept. 26, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Alex Wong/Getty Images

by 

[Lisa Marie Segarra](https://time.com/author/lisa-marie-segarra/)


## Lisa Marie Segarra


Sep 28, 2017 12:45 PM UTC

In his latest [commentary on NFL national anthem protests](http://time.com/4960638/donald-trump-latest-battle-against-nfl/), President Donald Trump said that team owners are “afraid” of the players on their teams.

“I have so many friends that are owners. And they’re in a box. I mean, I’ve spoken to a couple of them. They say, we are in a situation where we have to do something. I think they’re afraid of their players, if you want to know the truth,” [Trump said during an interview on _Fox & Friends_](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/28/trump-nfl-owners-afraid-to-take-action-against-kneeling-players.html) Thursday morning.

Trump doubled down on his comments that [protests during the National Anthem](http://time.com/4955544/trump-nfl-kneeling-anthem/) disrespect the American flag.

“The NFL cannot disrespect our country. They cannot disrespect our flag or our national anthem. And they can’t have people sitting down or kneeling down during our national anthem,” Trump said.

Trump also reiterated his claims that the [protests have been driving the NFL’s ratings down](http://time.com/4955913/trump-nfl-ratings-week-3/). He also added that there should be a rule mandating that players be present and stand for the national anthem.

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