Trump Calls Off Eagles Visit Over Anthem Dispute
WASHINGTON (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - President Donald Trump has called off a visit by the Philadelphia Eagles to the White House Tuesday due to the dispute over whether NFL players must stand during the playing of the national anthem.
Trump says in a statement that some members of the Super Bowl championship team "disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart."
Trump says the team wanted to send a smaller delegation, but fans who planned to attend "deserve better."
He later tweeted about the cancellation saying, "Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!"
No Eagles were known to kneel during the anthem but three did raise their fists.
He says he'll instead be hosting "a different type of ceremony" with the U.S. Marine Band.
The NFL recently announced a new policy requiring players to stand for the anthem if they're on the field before a game. Trump had suggested players who kneel be fired.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)