The biggest message to come out of President Trump’s Friday rally in Alabama had nothing to do with its intended purpose of helping out Sen. Luther Strange. 
 
 The president urging NFL owners to “get that son of a bitch off the field right now” if any of their players take a knee during the national anthem immediately inflamed one of the biggest battles in America’s culture war. 
 
 Ever since then-San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick started taking a knee when the anthem played last season, Americans have argued fiercely on the merits of this particular brand of protest. 
 
 Conservatives have seen it as outrageous disrespect for the troops and the nation itself. Liberals and ESPN have portrayed it as a courageous act of defiance against racism and police brutality. 
 
 The debate hasn’t gone away this season, with more players participating in the protest while Kaepernick remains unemployed. 
 
 Trump has spent most of the weekend doubling down on his comments, as well as bringing the NBA into the matter, in the face of liberal outrage. The president’s opinion brought forth accusations that he was trying to take away the constitutional rights of Americans and that his sentiment was racist by nature. 
 
 In response to the president attacks, dozens of NFL players publicly criticized the president and joined in the anthem protests on Sunday. As one example, multiple players from both the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars took the knee while the anthem played during their game in London. Curiously, they all stood for “God Save the Queen.” 
 
 Several commentators, primarily from the Left, saw more players joining the protest as a major defeat for the president, but they’re off the mark. Folks like New York magazine’s Jonathan Chait think that Trump has turned the kneel into a free speech issue, which is going to naturally earn the sympathy of average Americans. 
 
 In reality, Trump has taken the side of the flag and provoked multi-millionaire athletes into opposing patriotism. When several players for the New England Patriots took a knee during the anthem on Sunday, their own fans booed them. So do fans of the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins when members of those respective teams knelt. (RELATED: Football Fans Boo Players Protesting National Anthem) 
 
 There are hardly two more liberal, anti-Trump areas in America than the Boston and D.C. metropolitan areas. Yet even football fans who live there can’t stand protests against the anthem. 
 
 Rather than earning sympathy for free speech, more players joining in the protest is more likely to alienate NFL fans from the game. Polling last year showed that an overwhelming majority of Americans thought that politics should be kept off the field. The number one reason for declining NFL ratings was due to national anthem protests, according to ESPN, of all places. 
 
 Hardcore Patriots fans booing their own team is not a good sign that the NFL is going to come out on top in its war with the president. 
 
 Trump’s involvement in the debate over national anthem protests shows him once again stepping into his kind of cultural war. No longer tied to religious or moral concerns, Trump’s forays into the culture war typically revolve around questions of national identity and pit middle Americans against various elites. 
 
 During his presidential campaign, Trump’s hardline views on immigration and the Muslim ban earned him unprecedented scorn from the media and political elites, but also support and votes from Republican voters. More recently, Trump faced a barrage of anger over his comments on the violence in Charlottesville, Va. where he blamed “both sides” and issued his support for Confederate statues. (RELATED: Trump’s Culture War) 
 
 Those statements earned him extreme opprobrium from political leaders in both parties, nearly all of Hollywood and the establishment media. Yet, polling showed a majority of Americans agreed with his comments, especially in regards to the statues. (RELATED: Poll: Clear Majority Want To Keep Confederate Statues) 
 
 In the fight over kneeling, Trump is facing off against out-of-touch athletes who appear to be opposing the flag and the troops. ESPN and most political pundits may think he is a dummy for engaging in this fight, but if NFL continues to lose fans over it, Trump will come out as the victor. 
 
 There is the other issue of whether the President of the United States should even be involving himself in such a matter, regardless of whether it will be to his advantage or not. In years past, the answer would have been a “no” to the question of whether it was presidential behavior. 
 
 But we increasingly expect our president to take sides in these cultural battles. Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama frequently weighed in on such topics as the name of the Redskins and Kaepernick taking a knee, albeit in a much more subdued manner. 
 
 Trump is embracing his status as an Oval Office cultural warrior to a much greater degree than Obama, for some good reason. His legislative agenda is almost entirely stalled, and he has little to show in terms of accomplishments for his base. In fact, the only thing he might accomplish legislatively this year is giving millions of illegal aliens legal status in exchange for nothing. 
 
 Fighting in the culture war on behalf of his base is the one area where Trump can do as he pleases. He doesn’t have to go through Congress to reduce the ratings of the NFL, he just needs a few tweets to do so. 
 
 At the same time, the culture is getting weaponized at unimaginable level against the president and his supporters by elites. Every awards show now resembles a Resistance rally where each speaker makes sure to bash Trump and red state America. Late night talk shows act more as venting chambers for liberal resentment than light-hearted comedy. A large number of celebrities dedicate their social media accounts almost entirely to politics and hating on Trump. 
 
 Last week saw a new height for our new, politicized culture. A bunch of Hollywood A-listers such as Morgan Freeman and Rob Reiner got together to promote an initiative to make the public believe Russia hacked the election and we’re at war with Vladimir Putin. (RELATED: Hollywood Liberals Team Up With Iraq War Hawks To ‘Protect Democracy’ Against Russia) 
 
 The GOP’s latest attempt to repeal Obamacare found its greatest foe not among the Democrats, but with late night host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel spent most of his opening monologues this week attacking Republicans for their bill and regurgitating talking points given to him by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. (RELATED: Chuck Schumer Coached Jimmy Kimmel Behind The Scenes On How To Oppose Obamacare Repeal) 
 
 The comic’s advocacy earned him plaudits from the media and he was able to get the message of the bill’s opponents out to the general public. It’s possible that the cultural elites’ intense rejection of the latest Obamacare repeal encouraged Arizona Sen. John McCain to say he would vote against it. 
 
 With the cultural elite declaring total war on Trump and his agenda thwarted in part by their efforts, Trump may have no other choice than to spend his term fighting various battles of the culture war. 
 
 His voters would probably prefer that option to a legislative agenda comprised entirely of amnesty for illegals and tax cuts for billionaires. 
 
 WATCH THIS: MAJORITY OF STEELERS PLAYERS REMAIN IN LOCKER ROOM DURING NATIONAL ANTHEM 
 
 WATCH DAILY CALLER BREAKDOWN THE NET-WORTH OF THE KNEELERS: 
 
 
 
 Follow Scott on Twitter and buy his new book, “No Campus for White Men.” ||||| Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump came under harsh criticism Saturday from the NFL and some of the NBA's top players after he blasted prominent athletes for kneeling during the national anthem and refusing to come to the White House, putting himself in the center of a controversy with significant racial and cultural undertones. 
 
 NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell slammed Trump in a statement Saturday morning, calling the President "divisive" for remarks he made at a rally in Alabama Friday night, while one of the most famous athletes in the world, LeBron James, called Trump a "bum" for his Saturday morning tweet uninviting Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry from visiting the White House. 
 
 The Golden State Warriors issued a statement later Saturday accepting Trump's dis-invitation. 
 
 "While we intended to meet as a team at the first opportunity we had this morning to collaboratively discuss a potential visit to the White House, we accept that President Trump has made it clear that we are not invited," the team said. 
 
 The statement added that while the team will not be visiting the White House, its players will still come to the nation's capital in February "to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion — the values that we embrace as an organization." 
 
 Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant also tweeted a rebuke of Trump. 
 
 "A #POTUS whose name alone creates division and anger. Whose words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly 'Make America Great Again,'" Bryant wrote 
 
 Trump's Twitter response 
 
 Trump responded to the criticisms Saturday in a series of tweets, saying that playing for a sports league is a "privilege" and that players should not be able to disrespect the American flag or the US without risking being "fired." 
 
 "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 ...." Trump tweeted . "Our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!" 
 
 Later, he added of Goodell's criticism: "Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country. Tell them to stand!" 
 
 Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country.Tell them to stand! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017 
 
 The President's Twitter posts continued Sunday morning, saying if fans stayed away from the games because of the players' protests, "you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!" 
 
 Trump then focused on recent attendance at some NFL games and said ratings were "way down." 
 
 "Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.," he tweeted. 
 
 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! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017 
 
 ...NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017 
 
 Trump's tweets and harsh reaction highlight an extraordinary moment -- the President, NFL commissioner and top basketball players embroiled in a public fight over unity and patriotism. 
 
 Goodell said Trump's criticism of NFL players kneeling in protest during the National Anthem showed a "lack of respect" for the league and its players. 
 
 "The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture," Goodell said in the statement. "There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we've experienced over the last month. Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities." 
 
 New York Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch called Trump's NFL comments "inappropriate" on Saturday. 
 
 "Comments like we heard last night from the president are inappropriate, offensive and divisive," their statement said. "We are proud of our players, the vast majority of whom use their NFL platform to make a positive difference in our society." 
 
 Several team owners expressed similar comments. 
 
 New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a friend of Trump's, said he was "deeply disappointed by the tone " of Trump's remarks at the Friday night rally. 
 
 "There is no greater unifier in this country than sports, and unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics," Kraft said in a statement Sunday. "I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal." 
 
 Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said the country needed "unifying leadership right now, not more divisiveness." 
 
 "I know our players who kneeled for the anthem and these are smart young men of character who want to make our world a better place for everyone," Ross said in a statement Saturday. 
 
 "We all have the responsibility to use this platform to promote understanding, respect and equality," he added. 
 
 San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York called Trump's remarks "callous and offensive" and "contradictory to what this great country stands for." 
 
 "Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens in order to spark conversation and action to address social injustice," York said in a statement Saturday. "We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world." 
 
 Trump's remarks at rally 
 
 At Alabama GOP Sen. Luther Strange's campaign rally Friday, Trump said team owners should fire players for taking a knee during the national anthem. He added that if fans would "leave the stadium" when players kneel in protest during the national anthem, "I guarantee, things will stop." 
 
 Trump appeared to be referring to Colin Kaepernick -- formerly with the San Francisco 49ers, but currently without a team -- who last year drew national attention for refusing to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to kickoff. 
 
 "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in August 2016. 
 
 Then, on Saturday morning, Trump tweeted that Curry's invitation to the White House was revoked. 
 
 "Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!" Trump wrote. 
 
 Curry had remarked at the Warriors' media day Friday that he doesn't want to attend the White House ceremony scheduled to commemorate the title. 
 
 "'By acting and not going, hopefully that will inspire some change when it comes to what we tolerate in this country and what is accepted and what we turn a blind eye to,'' Curry told reporters. ''It's not just the act of not going. There are things you have to do on the back end to actually push that message into motion." 
 
 Athletes, entertainers respond 
 
 James was among the first athletes to respond to Trump on Saturday. 
 
 "U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going!" James tweeted. "So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!" 
 
 Many of the reactions to Trump's tweets highlighted the underlying racial tensions some consider at issue. 
 
 ESPN anchor Jemele Hill tweet ed to Curry, "Hey @StephenCurry30, welcome to the club bro." 
 
 Last week , Trump demanded an apology on Twitter for a series of tweets Hill had sent describing Trump as a white supremacist. Later White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Fox News that Hill's tweets were "highly inappropriate, and I think ESPN should take actions." 
 
 Singer-songwriter John Legend also tweeted about Trump Saturday saying of Curry's decision, "Perhaps it's not a great honor while your stench is there.' 
 
 Legend continued with a series of tweets aimed at the President. 
 
 "Trump thrives on division and chaos. He wants to pit us against each other because he thinks his side can win (w/voter suppression, etc.)," Legend tweeted later in the afternoon. 
 
 In a video released Saturday afternoon, music producer and rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs called for members of the NFL to do something "really great" on Sunday, when most of the week's football games will be played. He added: "You all represent us." 
 
 "If you do whatever you do in unity, you can't be stopped," Combs said in the video. "Just do the math man. Stick together, stand up together, rally for each other. Because believe me, we're all we got -- it has nothing to do with football and business." 
 
 Combs later tweeted from his personal account, "THE LINE HAS BEEN CROSSED!!!! Time to show them #blackexcellence LETS GO! #teamlove REPRESENT REPRESENT!" 
 
 He added a split photo that at the top showed white supremacists holding Confederate and Nazi flags under the words "very fine people" -- a reference to Trump's description of both white supremacist protesters and counterprotesters after the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, last month -- and at the bottom three 49ers players taking a knee during the national anthem under the words "Sons of Bitches." 
 
 Meanwhile, legendary musician Stevie Wonder took a knee at a New York music festival Saturday. 
 
 "Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America; but not just one knee, I'm taking both knees," he said on stage before his performance at the Global Citizen Festival. 
 
 "Both knees in prayer for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe. Amen." 
 
 The White House did not respond to a request for comment on Trump's tweet about Curry and whether the invitation will be withdrawn. ||||| CLOSE After Donald Trump said NFL players should be fired for kneeling during the national anthem, NFL players, owners and coaches condemned Trump's comments. USA TODAY Sports 
 
 Attacking #TakeTheKnee and First Amendment has nothing to do with patriotism or love of country: Our view 
 
 The Cleveland Browns during the national anthem on Sept. 24, 2017, in Indianapolis. (Photo: Andy Lyons, Getty Images) 
 
 The outpouring of defiance toward President Trump that spread across the National Football League on Sunday harkens to a single phrase directed at fear-mongering Sen. Joe McCarthy during a congressional hearing in 1954. 
 
 "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" said an Army lawyer, crystallizing in a moment the politics of division behind McCarthyism and its persecution of innocents. 
 
 Similarly, Trump's ad hominem attacks against "son of a bitch" players such as former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who sit or kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality, had nothing to do with patriotism or love of country. When he demanded NFL owners fire protesting players, it was vintage Trump stoking flames of anger and resentment. 
 
 OPPOSING VIEW: Good call, Mr. President 
 
 Why did the president do it now, when the #TakeTheKnee movement seemed to be waning? Who knows? Maybe he was trying to whip up his core supporters. Or maybe it's his latest effort to employ a weapon of mass distraction. Why focus on a likely loss on Obamacare repeal, or a possible loss for your favored candidate in the Alabama Republican Senate runoff, when you can try to stir public resentment of a pampered athletic elite? 
 
 The president, after all, has such a keen eye for ways to divide people, as he has demonstrated with the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., his dissing of undocumented immigrants, his travel ban focused on Muslim-majority nations, and his effort to excise transgender troops from the military. 
 
 Plus, this NFL controversy would be delicious payback. Trump for decades tried to earn a seat at the NFL owners' table, but his bids for the New England Patriots in 1988 and the Buffalo Bills in 2014 fell short. The anthem protest issue was such a ripe wedge issue. Nearly three in four Americans said they thought it was unpatriotic last year, and the protests led reasons why some viewers have stopped watching NFL games. 
 
 The only problem is that professional athletes and team owners alike recognized Trump's crude move for the ruse that it is: "With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling?" NBA star Chris Paul tweeted. 
 
 CLOSE AP reporters counted more than 200 NFL players who did not stand during the national anthem before their games on Sunday. Six refused to stand the week before, mainly protesting police brutality. AP 
 
 As of Sunday afternoon, players from more than a dozen football teams had chosen to stay seated, lock arms, or take a knee during the anthem. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admonished Trump on Saturday for being divisive. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a Trump friend and financial backer, said he was "deeply disappointed" by the president. Jaguars owner Shahid Khan joined his players and coaches in protest, as did the owners of the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed off the field during the song. 
 
 An epidemic of impertinence? Not at all. Rather, it was an audacious rejection of Trump's divisive ploy. 
 
 Allowing someone the right to dissent peacefully is part of the nation's patriotic tradition. Using the bully pulpit of the presidency to rain aspersions down on someone who dares to do so is simply indecent. 
 
 USA TODAY's editorial opinions are decided by its Editorial Board, separate from the news staff. Most editorials are coupled with an opposing view — a unique USA TODAY feature. 
 
 To read more editorials, go to the Opinion front page or sign up for the daily Opinion email newsletter. To respond to this editorial, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. 
 
 If you can't see this reader poll, please refresh your page. 
 
 Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2xtuH78 ||||| Baltimore Ravens players, including former player Ray Lewis, second from right, kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at... (Associated Press) 
 
 NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the sports world reacting to President Donald Trump's remarks about pro football (all times Eastern): 
 
 9 p.m. 
 
 When you add up the numbers, about one in eight NFL players did not stand for the national anthem this weekend. 
 
 AP reporters and photographers counted the players kneeling or sitting at every NFL game Sunday. With one more game to go Monday night, already more than 200 players chose to protest. A handful of others raised their fists. 
 
 The league has 1,696 players on active rosters. 
 
 Last week, only six NFL players protested, continuing the movement started last year by former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick. 
 
 But President Donald Trump's comments and tweets saying protesting players should be fired sparked a massive show of defiance. Three teams stayed off the field for the anthems entirely. Other teams locked arms, with some players standing, some kneeling and some sitting. 
 
 ___ 
 
 5:20 p.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump has continued to express his displeasure on Twitter about how NFL players are choosing to kneel or sit for the national anthem before games. 
 
 In one tweet, Trump said that "Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad Ratings!" In another tweet, he says people "MUST honor and respect" the American flag. 
 
 About 150 players around the NFL sat, knelt or raised their fists in defiance during the league's early games. 
 
 In another tweet, Trump said the NHL champion Pittsburgh Penguins will be going to the White House f or a ceremony. Trump recently rescinded a White House invitation for Stephen Curry of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. 
 
 __ 
 
 4 p.m. 
 
 Meghan Linsey finished singing the national anthem before the Seattle Seahawks game at the Tennessee Titans, and then the runner-up in "The Voice" took a knee as she finished. So did the guitarist accompanying her. 
 
 At least 130 players around the NFL sat or knelt during the anthems in the early games. The Seahawks and Titans didn't come on the field until after Linsey finished singing. A handful of players stood outside the tunnel. 
 
 Earlier in Detroit, singer Rico Lavelle dropped to his right knee, bowed his head and raised his right fist wrapped around the microphone while finishing up his rendition of the national anthem before the Lions-Falcons game. 
 
 — AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker reported from Nashville, Tennessee 
 
 ___ 
 
 4:01 p.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump has continued to express his displeasure on Twitter about how NFL players are choosing to kneel or sit for the national anthem before games. 
 
 In one tweet, Trump said that "Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad Ratings!" In another tweet, he says people "MUST honor and respect" the American flag. 
 
 More than 130 players around the NFL sat, knelt or raised their fists in defiance during the league's early games. 
 
 In another tweet, Trump said the NHL champion Pittsburgh Penguins will be going to the White House for a ceremony. Trump recently rescinded a White House invitation for Stephen Curry of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. 
 
 ___ 
 
 3:50 p.m. 
 
 The Tennessee Titans are joining the Seattle Seahawks in deciding not to come out for the national anthem. 
 
 The Seahawks announced nearly 30 minutes before kickoff that they would not stand for the national anthem because they "will not stand for the injustice that has plagued people of color in this country." 
 
 The Titans followed 10 minutes later by saying they will remain in the locker room during the national anthem. They posted a statement on their website noting they want to be unified as a team with the players deciding jointly that staying inside was the best course of action. 
 
 The team also said their commitment to the military and community is "resolute" and that "the absence of our team for the national anthem shouldn't be misconstrued as unpatriotic." 
 
 Seattle has been one of the more outspoken teams in professional sports on social issues, led by Michael Bennett, Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin. 
 
 — AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker reported from Nashville, Tennessee 
 
 ___ 
 
 3:40 p.m. 
 
 The Los Angeles Sparks did not participate in the national anthem before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, joining a long list of protests being conducted on football fields across the NFL. 
 
 Moments before the Sparks and Minnesota Lynx were scheduled to line up for the national anthem, the Sparks left the floor. The Lynx stood arm-in-arm with each other while the anthem was performed. As soon as it was finished, the Sparks re-entered Williams Arena to a chorus of boos. 
 
 The gesture comes in solidarity with NFL players who either sat, took a knee or did not take the field for the anthem after President Donald Trump criticized football players for enacting such protests. At least 130 players were kneeling or sitting during the first NFL games. 
 
 — AP Sports Writer Jon Krawczynski reported from Minneapolis 
 
 ___ 
 
 2:55 p.m. 
 
 It appeared no drivers, crew or other team members participated in a protest during the national anthem to start the NASCAR Cup series race Sunday in Loudon, New Hampshire. Several team owners and executives had said they wouldn't want anyone in their organizations to protest. 
 
 Richard Childress, who was Dale Earnhardt's longtime team owner, said of protesting, "It'll get you a ride on a Greyhound bus." Childress says he told his team that "anybody that works for me should respect the country we live in. So many people gave their lives for it. This is America." 
 
 Hall of Fame driver Richard Petty's sentiments took it a step further, saying: "Anybody that don't stand up for the anthem oughta be out of the country. Period. What got 'em where they're at? The United States." 
 
 When asked if a protester at Richard Petty Motorsports would be fired, he said, "You're right." 
 
 Another team owner Chip Ganassi says he supports Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin's comments. Tomlin said before the Steelers played on Sunday that players would remain in the locker room and that "we're not going to let divisive times or divisive individuals affect our agenda." 
 
 ___ 
 
 1 p.m. 
 
 NFL players used the national anthem to show their defiance to President Donald Trump's criticism, with at least 100 players kneeling or sitting in protest and one team staying in the locker room. 
 
 Most teams in the early afternoon games locked arms in solidarity. At least three team owners joined their players. 
 
 More than 100 players sat or knelt, the form of protest started last season by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick is now a free agent, and supporters believe teams have avoided signing him because of his protest. 
 
 The Pittsburgh Steelers remained in the locker room as the national anthem played before their game with the Chicago Bears. Coach Mike Tomlin stood by himself on the sideline. 
 
 How each team would observe the national anthem emerged as the center of attention on this NFL Sunday in the wake of Trump's critical remarks toward players who don't stand for the anthem. 
 
 Tomlin had said before the game that Pittsburgh's players would remain in the locker room and that "we're not going to let divisive times or divisive individuals affect our agenda." Tomlin added that the Steelers made this choice "not to be disrespectful to the anthem but to remove ourselves from this circumstance. People shouldn't have to choose." 
 
 ___ 
 
 12:12 p.m. 
 
 The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to stay in their locker room for the national anthem before their game against the Chicago Bears, coach Mike Tomlin has told CBS. 
 
 The move was apparently in reaction to President Donald Trump's suggestion that NFL owners fire players who kneel for the national anthem. 
 
 Several players from the Jaguars and Ravens decided to kneel in the first NFL game of the day in London. Then Tomlin said his players would not be on the sideline at Soldier Field in Chicago for the anthem. 
 
 — AP Sports Writer Jay Cohen reported from Chicago 
 
 ___ 
 
 12:13 p.m. 
 
 Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagilabue called President Donald Trump's comments on NFL players "insulting and disgraceful." 
 
 Tagliabue, who was in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a guest of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, spoke to the media before Carolina's game against the New Orleans Saints. 
 
 "For me to single out any particular group of players and call them SOB's, to me, that is insulting and disgraceful," Tagliabue said. "So I think the players deserve credit for what they do. And when it comes to speech they are entitled to speak. And we are entitled to listen. We are entitled to agree or disagree. But we're not entitled to shut anybody's speech down. Sometimes you don't like what you hear and that is true in life in lots of contexts, but you can't shut people down and be disgraceful when you are doing it." 
 
 Richardson is not making a statement on the Trump's remarks, per team spokesman Steven Drummond. 
 
 — AP Sports Writer Steve Reed reported from Charlotte, North Carolina 
 
 ___ 
 
 11:45 a.m. 
 
 A handful of Miami Dolphins players are wearing black T-shirts supporting free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick during pregame warm-ups. 
 
 The shirts have "#IMWITHKAP" written in bold white lettering on the front. 
 
 Kaepernick was the first athlete to refuse to stand during the national anthem as a protest. This season, no team has signed him, and some supporters believe NFL owners are avoiding him because of the controversy. 
 
 Among the players sporting the shirts before their game against the New York Jets are wide receiver Kenny Stills, running back Jay Ajayi and offensive linemen Laremy Tunsil and Ja'Wuan James. Stills, also a team captain, posted a photo on Twitter of himself wearing the shirt , along with the post: "In case you didn't know!" 
 
 — AP Sports Writer Dennis Waszak reporting from East Rutherford, New Jersey 
 
 ___ 
 
 11:02 a.m. 
 
 Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is defending President Donald Trump's attacks on football players who kneel during the national anthem. 
 
 Speaking on ABC's "This Week" Sunday morning, Mnuchin says the National Football League enforces other types of rules and Trump thinks "owners should have a rule that players should have to stand in respect for the national anthem." 
 
 Mnuchin adds that "they can do free speech on their own time." 
 
 Trump suggested during a speech Friday night that NFL owners should fire players who kneel during the national anthem. A handful of NFL players have refused to stand to protest several issues, including police brutality. 
 
 ___ 
 
 11:01 a.m. 
 
 The Pittsburgh Penguins say they've accepted an invitation from President Donald Trump to go to the White House after winning the Stanley Cup. 
 
 The Penguins released a statement Sunday saying they respect the office of the president and "the long tradition of championship teams visiting the White House." The Penguins were honored by Barack Obama after winning the Stanley Cup in 2016 and previously by George H.W. Bush in the early 1990s. 
 
 "Any agreement or disagreement with a president's politics, policies or agenda can be expressed in other ways. However, we very much respect the rights of other individuals and groups to express themselves as they see fit." 
 
 Trump revoked the White House invitation to the NBA champion Golden State Warriors Saturday, after the team had said they might not accept. 
 
 —Stephen Whyno reporting from Washington 
 
 ___ 
 
 10:15 a.m. 
 
 Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti says he "100 percent" supports his players' decision to kneel during the national anthem ahead of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley. 
 
 At least seven Ravens players and more than a dozen Jaguars players took a knee during the anthem while the rest of the players stood locked arm-in-arm in an apparent response to President Donald Trump, who said this week that NFL owners should fire those who disrespected the American flag. 
 
 But the Ravens issued a statement from Bisciotti minutes after kickoff, saying: "We recognize our players' influence. We respect their demonstration and support them 100 percent. All voices need to be heard. That's democracy in its highest form." 
 
 Jaguars owner Shad Khan stood arm-in-arm with his players during the anthem. 
 
 ___ 
 
 9:30 a.m. 
 
 About two dozen players, including Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette, took a knee during the playing of the national anthem before the start of the teams' game at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. 
 
 Other players on one knee during the performance included Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley, wide receiver Mike Wallace and safety Lardarius Webb as well as Jaguars linebacker Dante Fowler, defensive tackle Calais Campbell, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. 
 
 Players on both teams and Jaguars owner Shad Khan, who were not kneeling, remained locked arm-in-arm throughout the playing of the national anthem and "God Save The Queen," the national anthem of Britain. 
 
 No players were kneeling during the playing of the British national anthem. 
 
 President Donald Trump had a suggestion on Saturday for National Football League owners whose players decide to take a knee during the national anthem: fire them. ||||| After months of circling President Donald Trump during NFL depositions and discovery, Colin Kaepernick’s lawyers are expected to force Trump directly into the ongoing legal battle between the quarterback and league. 
 
 Kaepernick’s legal team is expected to seek federal subpoenas in the coming weeks to compel testimony from Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other officials familiar with the president’s agenda on protesting NFL players, sources with knowledge of the quarterback’s collusion case against the NFL told Yahoo Sports. 
 
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 The aim will be a dive into the administration’s political involvement with the NFL during Kaepernick’s free agency and the league’s handling of player protests, sources said. This after recent disclosures that multiple owners had direct talks with Trump about players kneeling during the national anthem. The content of those conversations between Trump and owners – as well as any forms of pressure directed at the league by the administration – are expected to shape the requests to force the testimony of Trump, Pence and other affiliated officials, sources said. 
 
 What has to happen for Trump to be subpoenaed? 
 
 Story continues 
 
 Due to the nature of the rules in collective bargaining grievances, reeling in sworn testimony from the political sector will create at least one additional hurdle for Kaepernick’s camp. The quarterback’s legal team first must notify the system arbitrator of the need for targeted depositions beyond the boundaries of the agreement between the NFL and the player’s union. That would entail presenting a detailed argument to the system arbitrator overseeing the grievance, spelling out the relevance and impact that testimony from Trump or others could have on the grievance. If the arbitrator rules the testimony would be justifiable, that would open the door for Kaepernick’s attorneys to seek the subpoenas in a district court under the Federal Arbitration Act. 
 
 That’s also where the process would get more complicated and contentious. 
 
 This Jan. 1, 2017, file photo shows former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick speaking at a news conference. (AP) 
 
 Should the system arbitrator and a federal judge find there is a basis to force Trump or others to sit for depositions, it would raise an argument over whether the president can actually be compelled by the courts to sit for a deposition. Trump could choose to ignore the order or simply decline, leaving it up to the justice system to enforce the subpoena. 
 
 Whether that would ever happen is a significant matter of debate. 
 
 Trump’s lawyers already fighting subpoenas in Mueller case 
 
 Multiple media outlets have reported Trump’s lawyers have already argued to special counsel Robert Mueller that the president couldn’t be compelled to comply with a criminal subpoena in the Russian collusion probe. It stands to reason if Trump would refuse to sit for a deposition in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, he’s also likely to refuse to comply with a subpoena from a district court stemming from Kaepernick’s arbitration case. 
 
 Complicating matters further? Even if Trump was attracted to lock horns more directly with Kaepernick, doing so in a deposition could potentially expose the president legally if it is found he somehow bore responsibility for NFL owners refusing to offer Kaepernick a job. 
 
 Still, there is also a flip side for Trump, whose head-on verbal barrage against the NFL over protesting players has been a red-meat issue politically, stoking his base and creating a staple talking point he has continually revisited. In theory, taking part in the Kaepernick case would give him the opportunity to air his thoughts about the quarterback face-to-face in a deposition – much the same way multiple NFL owners have done in the process. It would also offer Trump fertile material for his steady diet of social media and “Fox & Friends” appearances, which can’t be discounted. 
 
 How will Kaepernick’s team build an argument to subpoena Trump? 
 
 But long before that quandary comes to fruition, Kaepernick’s attorneys will be tasked with illustrating a connection between the quarterback’s unemployment and Trump’s pressure on the NFL regarding protests during the national anthem. 
 
 With that in mind, multiple incidents could factor prominently into the request for subpoenas. Among a few (but not all) that could ultimately be referenced by Kaepernick’s attorneys: 
 
 • In August 2016, as a Republican presidential candidate, Trump went on Seattle radio station KIRO and remarked of Kaepernick protesting during the national anthem: “I think it’s personally not a good thing, I think it’s a terrible thing. And, you know, maybe he should find a country that works better for him.” 
 
 That could prove to be significant, because it can be framed as the “clock-starting” moment when Trump’s interference in Kaepernick’s livelihood first began, then extended and became amplified into the presidency. 
 
 • In March 2017, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft joined Trump on a flight aboard Air Force One in which the two men engaged in conversation. The next day, at a speaking event in Kentucky, Trump bragged that NFL owners weren’t signing Kaepernick because they were afraid of him. 
 
 “Your San Francisco quarterback, I’m sure nobody ever heard of him,” the president said. “… There was an article today that was reported that NFL owners don’t want to pick him up because they don’t want to get a nasty tweet from Donald Trump. Do you believe that? I just saw that. I just saw that.” 
 
 In a later deposition in the Kaepernick case, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross testified Kraft told NFL owners he had spoken to Trump about players kneeling during the anthem. It wasn’t clear if that conversation occurred on the Air Force One flight or a different date. 
 
 President Donald Trump has continued to criticize the NFL and its players over past protests. (AP) 
 
 • In September 2017, Trump spoke directly to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who later revealed during his deposition in the Kaepernick collusion case that the president told him, “Tell everybody [in the NFL], you can’t win this one. This one lifts me,” and that the player-kneeling issue was a “very winning, strong issue for me [politically].” 
 
 • Also in September 2017, Trump blasted NFL players during a speech in Alabama, taking direct aim at the jobs of kneeling players. 
 
 “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’ ” Trump said. 
 
 • In October 2017, Trump again spoke directly about Kaepernick, and again suggested NFL retribution against the quarterback for his kneeling during the anthem. 
 
 “I watched Colin Kaepernick [in 2016], and I thought it was terrible, and then it got bigger and bigger and started mushrooming, and frankly the NFL should have suspended him for one game, and he would have never done it again,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “They could have then suspended him for two games, and they could have suspended him if he did it a third time, for the season, and you would never have had a problem. But I will tell you, you cannot disrespect our country, our flag, our anthem. You cannot do that.” 
 
 • Also in October 2017, Trump admitted to orchestrating a walkout of an NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts, in which Pence attended the game briefly and then left when players knelt during the national anthem. 
 
 • In late October 2017, a handful of NFL owners met with a select group of players during the league’s New York meetings. In a confidential meeting that was secretly taped and then leaked to the New York Times, Kraft can be heard referring to kneeling as the elephant in the room. 
 
 “The problem we have is, we have a president who will use that as fodder to do his mission that I don’t feel is in the best interests of America,” Kraft said, according to the Times. “It’s divisive and it’s horrible.” 
 
 The Times also quoted other owners at the meeting talking specifically about Trump’s impact. They included Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeff Lurie, who reportedly said, “We’ve got to be careful not to be baited by Trump or whomever else,” and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula, who reportedly worried that, “All Donald needs to do is to start to do this again. We need some kind of immediate plan because of what’s going on in society. All of us now, we need to put a Band-Aid on what’s going on in the country.” 
 
 • In March 2018, Ross told the New York Daily News that Trump had influenced him to reverse his support of players who chose to kneel during the anthem. It was the first time that an owner said publicly that Trump had influenced their stance on the issue. 
 
 “I think initially I totally supported the players in what they were doing, because it’s America – people should be able to really speak about their choices and show them [in] doing that,” Ross said. “But I think when you change the message, about, is it support of our country or the military, it’s a different message. When that message changed, and everybody was interpreting it as that was the reason, then I was against the kneeling. …[Trump’s] message became what kneeling was all about. From that standpoint, that’s the way the public is interpreting it. So I think that’s really incumbent upon us to adopt that, because that’s how I think the country is now interpreting the kneeling issue.” 
 
 • In May 2018, after the NFL passed a rule prohibiting kneeling during the national anthem – but allowing players to remain in the locker room during the ceremony if they wish – some owners admitted that Trump had impacted the league’s motivation for creating a rule. The day after the NFL passed the rule, Trump once again revisited his remarks about players’ job statuses or whether they should be in the country if they didn’t stand for the anthem. 
 
 “You have to stand proudly for the national anthem or you shouldn’t be playing – you shouldn’t be there,” Trump told “Fox & Friends.” “Maybe you shouldn’t be in the country.” 
 
 That is only a handful of some of the incidents reflecting Trump potentially influencing NFL owners on either Kaepernick or kneeling players. It doesn’t account for all of his statements or address the multitude of tweets he has sent about the issue – nor other private conversations that have reportedly occurred inside the NFL about his impact. 
 
 It remains to be seen whether the totality of those incidents will be enough to convince the system arbitrator in Kaepernick’s case or a federal judge to conclude that forcing depositions of Trump, Pence or others is necessary. But that appears to be the next avenue of pursuit for Kaepernick’s legal team, in a case that has only seemed to gain more traction with each passing month. 
 
 More from Yahoo Sports: 
 
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 • Terez Paylor: As Trump wages war on NFL, players grow tired of ‘lies’ 
 
 • ‘Damn cameras’: LeBron didn’t know clip went viral 
 
 • Perkins warns Warriors: I’m not the ‘problem’ they want ||||| (CNN) The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' White House visit has been canceled due to the controversy over standing for the National Anthem at NFL games, President Donald Trump announced Monday. 
 
 "The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow," Trump said in a statement. "They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country. The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better." 
 
 It's an unprecedented move by Trump. The NBA champion Golden State Warriors declined an invitation from the President to visit the White House after winning the 2017 championship, but presidents typically honor their invitations to championship teams. Players also have refused those invitations in the past -- Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas declined to visit the White House in 2012 over disagreements with President Barack Obama's policies. 
 
 The President typically invites the champions of major professional and college sports to the White House for a visit as a part of their victory celebrations. 
 
 The movement was initially started by Colin Kaepernick, who was formerly with the San Francisco 49ers. He drew national attention for refusing to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to kickoff. 
 
 "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in August 2016 
 
 Trump has r epeatedly criticized players for not standing for the anthem and has gone as far as to say team owners should fire players for doing so. 
 
 The new NFL policy gives players the option of remaining in the locker room during the playing of the anthem if they do not wish to comply. 
 
 Trump later tweeted, "The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!" The Eagles have not stayed in the locker room as a means of protesting the anthem. 
 
 The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018 
 
 Players on the Eagles are some of the most outspoken social justice activists in the NFL, and multiple players took part in the protests during the anthem over the last two seasons. Many players from the team were not planning on attending the ceremony as a protest of Trump, his policies and his outspoken criticism of players who chose to kneel during the anthem. 
 
 The Eagles were originally invited to the White House after their win in February's Super Bowl over the New England Patriots. It was the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. 
 
 In response to Trump's announcement, former Eagles receiver Torrey Smith, who was a member of the championship team and was traded during the off-season, called the move "a cowardly act." 
 
 So many lies smh 
 
 Here are some facts 
 
 1. Not many people were going to go 
 
 2. No one refused to go simply because Trump "insists" folks stand for the anthem 
 
 3. The President continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military pic.twitter.com/89GUNhJ4eE — Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 4, 2018 
 
 There are a lot of people on the team that have plenty of different views. The men and women that wanted to go should've been able to go. It's a cowardly act to cancel the celebration because the majority of the people don't want to see you. To make it about the anthem is foolish — Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 4, 2018 
 
 "So many lies smh Here are some facts 1. Not many people were going to go 2. No one refused to go simply because Trump 'insists' folks stand for the anthem 3. The President continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military," he said in one tweet. 
 
 Smith continued: "There are a lot of people on the team that have plenty of different views. The men and women that wanted to go should've been able to go. It's a cowardly act to cancel the celebration because the majority of the people don't want to see you. To make it about the anthem is foolish." 
 
 One player who spoke to CNN said the team had multiple meetings to discuss the invitation to the White House. Not many players wanted to go, the player said. 
 
 "The number was low," he said. 
 
 But the issue Trump brought to the fore -- players kneeling during the National Anthem -- was not one of the team's chief concerns. The player said the issue was never mentioned in the meetings. 
 
 A separate NFL source said none of the players on the Eagles team that won the Super Bowl took a knee during the anthem during the regular season -- one player took a knee in the preseason but was cut before the regular season began. Safety Malcolm Jenkins raised his fist during the anthem to protest racial injustice before some games, but he stopped when the NFL pledged to make a $100 million donation to various charities in November. 
 
 Sen. Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said he's skipping the White House event, and instead invited the team to take a tour of the US Capitol. 
 
 "I'm proud of what the @Eagles accomplished this year. I'm skipping this political stunt at the White House and just invited the Eagles to Congress. @Eagles How about a tour of the Capitol?" Casey wrote on Twitter. 
 
 I'm proud of what the @Eagles accomplished this year. I'm skipping this political stunt at the White House and just invited the Eagles to Congress. @Eagles How about a tour of the Capitol? https://t.co/niWR7zkSYx — Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) June 4, 2018 
 
 Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney released a statement, where he said Trump's decision "proves that our President is not a true patriot." 
 
 "The Eagles call the birthplace of our democracy home, so it's no surprise that this team embodies everything that makes our country and our city great. Their athletic accomplishments on the field led to an historic victory this year," Kenney said. 
 
 "Disinviting them from the White House only proves that our President is not a true patriot, but a fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size and afraid of the embarrassment of throwing a party to which no one wants to attend," he later said in the statement. 
 
 "City Hall is always open for a celebration," he added. 
 
 Trump said in Monday's statement that the fans are still welcome to come and partake in a "different kind of ceremony." 
 
 "One that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem," he said. 
 
 White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short told CNN's Erin Burnett he was unsure who canceled on whom. 
 
 "It's unfortunate when politics gets in the middle of this," Short said. 
 
 Trump said he will be at the ceremony alongside the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus at 3 p.m. Tuesday to "celebrate America."
– NFL players' reaction to President Trump in regard to the national anthem was, not surprisingly, a big topic on Monday's op-ed pages. Here's a sampling: Wall Street Journal: The newspaper's editorial sounds fed up with everybody involved, blaming the left for initially exploiting the Colin Kaepernick situation, then Trump for exploiting the blowback. It adds that players who kneel shouldn't be surprised to hear boos, because "disrespecting the national anthem puts partisanship above a symbol of nationhood that thousands have died for." But ultimately, the real losers in all this "are the millions of Americans who would rather cheer for their teams on Sunday as a respite from work and the other divisions of American life." Daily Caller: In a column, Scott Greer writes that Trump seems to be relishing his role as an "Oval Office culture warrior," perhaps because his legislative agenda keeps hitting roadblocks. This fight may pay off: "In the fight over kneeling, Trump is facing off against out-of-touch athletes who appear to be opposing the flag and the troops. ESPN and most political pundits may think he is a dummy for engaging in this fight, but if [the] NFL continues to lose fans over it, Trump will come out as the victor." New York Times: Its editorial pits Trump as the villain here and Kaepernick as the hero of sorts. The QB still can't find a team, but the weekend protests "might well have been a huge victory for free speech and the cause of racial justice he has so bravely espoused." The editorial gives the last word to LeBron James, who tweeted of Trump that "going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!” Washington Post: The editors don't care what Trump thinks of Kaepernick. But "when his response to protest is to question patriotism rather than engage on the issue of unequal policing—then it is Mr. Trump who 'disrespects our Flag & our Country.'" USA Today: Its editorial faults Trump as "divider in chief" and says his use of the presidential bully pulpit to fault those exercising their right to dissent is "simply indecent." But an op-ed at the newspaper by former Nebraska Congressman Jon Christensen praises Trump's move. "When millionaire athletes refuse to honor America and pay homage to the men and women who died for our freedom, and instead, choose to use their field of occupation to make a statement, then I can choose to turn the channel." They do indeed deserve to be fired, he adds.