Roger Goodell's contract extension as NFL commission has been delayed by the continuing protests by players kneeling, sitting and skipping out during the playing of the national anthem before games, ESPN reported on Sunday, citing sources.
The sports network reported sources saying the anthem controversy has been so consuming for the league that Goodell's contract was put on the backburner and only talked about for 20 minutes last Wednesday during the team owners' meeting in New York City.
"The anthem issue has overridden everything – and I do mean everything," ESPN quoted one source.
President Donald Trump, who has suggested the owners fire players who protested during the anthem, voiced his displeasure about the continued protests on Twitter on Monday.
ESPN said the controversy has affected TV ratings, merchandise sales and the country's feelings about football.
On Sunday, three Miami Dolphins players – tight end Julius Thomas, safety Michael Thomas, and wide receiver Kenny Stills – waited in the tunnel while the national anthem was played, according to SB Nation.
USA Today reported that players from the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams took a knee during the anthem.
A Los Angeles Rams defensive end raised his fist during the anthem before his game against the Arizona Cardinals in London, while seven members of the Seattle Seahawks sat during the national anthem before their game against the New York Giants, the SB Nation said.
While seven players of the San Francisco 49ers took a knee before their game with Dallas, none of the Cowboys took a knee, apparently responding to owner Jerry Jones threat that they would be benched by protesting during the anthem, according to the Dallas Morning News.
One Cowboys player, defensive end David Irving, raised his fist after the song was over, the newspaper reported. Jones told the Morning News that he did not have a problem with Irving because it was done after the anthem and he didn't "disrespect the flag."
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