Rep. Keith Ellison Keith Maurice EllisonOfficers in George Floyd's death appear in court, motion for separate trials Ex-Minneapolis officer involved in Floyd death asks judge to dismiss murder charge Over 50 current, former law enforcement professionals sign letter urging Congress to decriminalize marijuana MORE (D-Minn.) said that he will boycott NFL games this upcoming season over the league's new policy requiring players to stand during the national anthem.

“Friends who know me, know that I love football. But I won’t be watching this NFL season because of the unfair cowardly and idiotic kneeling ban,” the progressive lawmaker tweeted on Sunday, adding the hashtag “Boycott NFL.”

Friends who know me, know that I love football. But I won’t be watching this NFL season because of the unfair cowardly and idiotic kneeling ban. #BoycottNFL — Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) May 27, 2018

The NFL last week approved a new policy requiring that players on the field stand during the anthem. Players will also be allowed to stay in their locker rooms during the anthem, but any players who protest during the “Star Spangled Banner” will face a penalty.

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President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE began attacking NFL players who kneel during the anthem last year, saying that NFL owners should fire the protesting players.

He again slammed the players during an interview on “Fox & Friends” last week.

"I think that’s good. I don’t think people should be staying in the locker rooms, but still, I think it’s good. You have to stand proudly for the national anthem," Trump said of the NFL’s new policy.

"You shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there. Maybe they shouldn’t be in the country," he added.

NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racial injustice. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has been a free agent since the end of the 2016 season.