'Stand for the anthem or don't play' - Dallas Cowboys owner tells players
- Published
The owner of Dallas Cowboys has told his players they must stand for the national anthem.
"If there is anything that is disrespectful to the flag then we will not play," Jerry Jones said.
It follows US Vice President Mike Pence's decision to leave the game between San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts after several players refused to stand.
President Trump has tweeted his support for Jerry Jones.
Two weeks ago, Jerry Jones linked arms with his players and knelt before the anthem was played in the game against Arizona Cardinals.
It's after President Trump called on players to be sacked if they refused to stand for the national anthem.
The kneeling originally started as a protest over how black Americans are treated in society.
Why America's sports stars are taking a knee
But it appears that Jerry Jones has now changed his mind. "We cannot, in the NFL in any way, give the implication that we tolerate disrespecting the flag."
The Cowboys' boss was one of the seven NFL owners to donate to Trump's inauguration.
There have been reports that other teams have told players they must stand.
The NFL Players Association defended players' right to protest. "We should not stifle these discussions and cannot allow our rights to become subservient to the very opinions our Constitution protects.
"That is what makes us the land of the free and the home of the brave."
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first player to kneel during the national anthem.
It was in protest at the treatment of black Americans not the flag or the anthem itself.
He's not been offered a job since his contract with the 49ers came to an end in March.
On Sunday it was falsely reported that if he were given a job, he would stand for the national anthem.
Find us on Instagram at BBCNewsbeat, external and follow us on Snapchat, search for bbc_newsbeat, external