NFL notebook: Goodell, NFLPA fire back at Trump

Sep 25, 2017 - 12:02 AM NFL commissioner Roger Goodell fired back in response to President Donald Trump's "divisive comments" about players protesting during the pregame national anthem.

Trump was speaking at a political rally in Huntsville, Ala., on Friday night when he took on the NFL and its players.

"We're proud of our country. We respect our flag," Trump said to loud applause at the campaign event. "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. He's fired! He's fired!'"

Goodell responded Saturday with a statement:

"The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture. 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."

Later Saturday afternoon, Trump repeated his message via Twitter.

"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," Trump tweeted. "If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!"

The NFL Players Association earlier declared the "union will never back down" in supporting players' rights.



--Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett reportedly will undergo surgery on his left knee for the second consecutive year, costing him the remainder of the 2017 season.

The Chargers will place Verrett on injured reserve, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Verrett, who had an MRI exam on the surgically repaired knee last week, suffered the latest knee injury in the season opener against the Denver Broncos.

Verrett, who was a first-round pick of the Chargers in 2014 out of TCU and played in the Pro Bowl after the 2015 season, shut it down last season after a Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints when an MRI revealed he had a partially torn ACL in his left knee.



--The New England Patriots signed quarterback Taylor Heinicke to the practice squad Saturday and released wide receiver Demarcus Ayers from the practice squad.

Heinicke, 24, was originally signed by the Minnesota Vikings as a rookie free agent out of Old Dominion in 2015. He has not appeared in an NFL game.

Ayers, 23, was signed to the Patriots' practice squad on Sept. 4. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round in 2016 out of Houston. He played two regular season games with one start as a rookie.