San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin kneel during the performance of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Santa Clara, Calif. on Nov. 12. | Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Trump: Keeping players in locker rooms during anthem 'almost as bad as kneeling'

President Donald Trump on Wednesday weighed in on the possibility that the NFL could keep players in locker rooms while the national anthem is performed, calling it “almost as bad as kneeling!”

"The NFL is now thinking about a new idea - keeping teams in the Locker Room during the National Anthem next season. That’s almost as bad as kneeling! When will the highly paid Commissioner finally get tough and smart? This issue is killing your league!....." the president wrote Wednesday morning during a flurry of tweets in which he also attacked LaVar Ball, the father of one of the three UCLA basketball players arrested for shoplifting in China earlier this month.


The Washington Post reported Tuesday that several NFL owners think the NFL could keep players in the locker room during the national anthem if protests continue throughout the season.

The issue would be discussed during off season, according to the report, but has backing from several league owners.

Over the past couple of months, Trump, as well as some fans, have criticized the NFL for allowing players to kneel during the national anthem as a protest to racial inequality and police misconduct. The president has even gone as far as calling on the league to fire those who protest the national anthem.

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Most recently, Trump called out Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch on Monday for kneeling during the national anthem at Sunday's game against the New England Patriots in Mexico City but standing while the Mexican national anthem was performed.

“Marshawn Lynch of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our national anthem,” Trump wrote. “Great disrespect! Next time NFL should suspend him for remainder of season. Attendance and ratings way down.”