President Donald Trump says NFL players who kneel during the national anthem should be fired by their teams.
The President made the remarks during a Friday night campaign event for Alabama Senator Luther Strange in Huntsville.
He says the kneeling is disrespectful and is a total disrespect of our heritage. He went on to urge spectators to walk out in protest if they see any player kneeling.
Meanwhile, people here in New England are responding to President Trump's view on firing players who he says disrespect the flag.
Outside Gillette Stadium on a sunny Saturday evening, there was no shortage of opinions on a growing debate between the NFL and President Trump.
"I am a veteran, so it hits me harder."
In the crowd, David Luisa, an Air Force veteran, is at a loss why NFL players don't stand during the national anthem.
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"Don't disrespect the veterans and the people who are overseas dying for them to make millions in a free country."
The debate rev'ed up Saturday after these tweets from President Trump:
"If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!"
"I'm 100-percent behind our President. I think everybody should be standing up. Fans. Players. Everybody."
"I think it's wrong. I think everybody should have their own way of living. This is America. If they want to do what they want to do, it's wrong, but they don't have to get fired because of it."
"I think they should be flogged. Really. If you don't like my country. Leave it."
This has been a big topic in the NFL for more than a year, starting when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kapernick and others started kneeling during the national anthem before football games.
"I don't know why they do it, nobody can understand what's going on in their head. But I believe you know if they want to do it, let them do it."
"They shouldn't be here, go home. Go back wherever you came from."
The NFL weighed in saying "divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players."
It will be interesting to see what happens when the Patriots play the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
