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At a rally in Alabama on Friday night, President Trump 

 that NFL players who kneel or otherwise take part in protests during the national anthem prior to games should be fired. The president 

 over the weekend, tweeting that players "should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country)."

Last year, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial inequality. Over the course of the season, other players joined his protest by kneeling, sitting or raising their fists during the anthem.

Kaepernick is not currently employed by any NFL team and has not spoken publicly about his movement in several months. However, other players have continued to protest during the anthem, and Trump's statements led to widespread protests over the weekend. Most teams stood by their players' decision to protest. Here's how the league, individual teams and a few other sports have weighed in:

The National Football League and its Players' Association both issued statements supporting their players' rights after Trump's comments on Friday.

https://twitter.com/NFLprguy/status/911580084141772801

 and said they fail to understand "the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities."

 NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith expressed support for the rights of the league's players and said "no man or woman should ever have to choose a job that forces them to surrender their rights."

 "a slap in the face to the civil rights heroes of the past and present" and said "we will not stop challenging others on how we can all come together to continue to make America the greatest country on earth."

Many of the league's players and teams also issued statements or participated in protests prior to this weekend's games:

 supporting his players and describing football as "something that has always united us as Americans." On whether the team would protest before its game Monday night, 

 "if there is anything like that, it's going to be unified."

ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters said that ahead of their Monday Night Football game, the Cardinals had sought to do something jointly with their opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, but were turned down by the team, which made its own gesture. Cardinals players and personnel lined up and locked arms along the front of one end zone. Trump tweeted on Sunday that he thought 

standing together and locking arms was fine.

Two players knelt Sunday, and the team linked arms during the national anthem. Team owner Arthur Blank joined the team on the sidelines and issued a statement on Saturday saying "we are at our very best when we are working together":

https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/911723218788143111

Playing in England, about 10 players knelt for "The Star-Spangled Banner," 

 Other players and coaches linked arms. Before the game, owner Steve Bisciotti issued this statement:

https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/911952742301749248

Several Bills players knelt for the anthem, and running back LeSean McCoy 

 instead of observing the anthem. Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula released the following statement on Saturday night calling Trump's comments "divisive":

https://twitter.com/buffalobills/status/911775901452468226

 for the anthem, while the rest of the team stood. The team has yet to issue any statement regarding Trump's comments or protests around the league.

 during the national anthem on Sunday. Chair George McCaskey issued the following statement on Sunday morning calling the political situation "divisive":

https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/911973267317121024

 saying "Football and politics don't mix easily. Fans come to NFL games to watch great competition on the playing field and that's where our focus should be."

Tight end Tyler Eifert, who is injured and did not make the trip to Green Bay for their game, had 

previously spoken to the Cincinnati Enquirer

 about why he makes a point of standing for the anthem.

 while others stood and linked arms during the anthem, and owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam called Trump's comments "misguided, uninformed and divisive" 

 Before an earlier game this season, the team 

 in which players discussed racial inequality.

reported Cowboys players planned to protest

 during the anthem before Monday night's game, but they instead chose to lock arms, taking a symbolic knee together just before the anthem. Fans at the game in Phoenix booed the visiting team's demonstration.

Owner Jerry Jones, who knelt with his players and personnel, has previously said he feels 

 about recognizing the flag; he has not issued any statement regarding Trump's comments or protests around the league.

 by kneeling or raising a fist during the anthem. On Saturday, team President and CEO Joe Ellis 

 supporting his players. Defensive end Derek Wolfe did not participate in the protest and made the following statement to ESPN's Josina Anderson:

https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/911939051363717120

Lions owner Martha Ford and head coach Jim Caldwell 

 during the anthem. Eight players knelt. Singer Rico Lavelle dropped to one knee and raised his fist as he sang the final word of the anthem:

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/912001508744601600

 about football's "platform for dialogue and positive change."

 while most others stood and locked arms for the anthem. On Saturday, Packers President Mark Murphy 

 against Trump's comments, calling them "divisive and offensive."

 during the anthem. Texans founder and CEO Robert McNair released this statement on Sunday morning:

https://twitter.com/TexansPR/status/911972928690049029

 for the anthem, and those who stood locked arms. Owner Jim Irsay issued the following statement on Saturday:

https://twitter.com/Colts/status/911780663724007424

 on the sidelines, and more than a dozen Jaguars knelt for "The Star-Spangled Banner." Afterward, Khan issued the following statement saying it was a "privilege" to stand on the sidelines with his team:

https://twitter.com/Jaguars/status/911971706201362432

 on the bench for the national anthem. Before the game, owner Clark Hunt issued this statement:

https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/912017569158135809

 during the anthem, and some sat down. Owner Dean Spanos released the following statement:

The Rams played on Thursday night, before Trump's comments. At that game, linebacker Robert Quinn 

 during the anthem, as he has throughout the season. On Sunday morning, Rams owner Stan Kroenke 

 supporting his players' freedom to protest.

Sports

Tim Webber

Author

After the president said those who kneel during the anthem should be fired, protests rippled throughout the NFL this week. Teams mostly stood by their players.

The Dallas Cowboys, led by owner Jerry Jones, center, take a knee.

Matt York | AP

Minnesota Vikings players lock arms during the national anthem

Jim Mone | AP

Tampa Bay Buccaneers players take a knee during anthem

How every NFL team responded to Trump's protest comments

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