New England Patriots owner and Donald Trump supporter Robert Kraft on Sunday said he was “disappointed” the president called for the firing of NFL players who take a knee during the national anthem.

“I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the President on Friday,” Kraft said in a statement released by the team on Sunday.

“I am proud to be associated with so many players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our communities.”

Kraft, whose Patriots visited the White House in April to celebrate their Super Bowl win over the Atlanta Falcons, said the president instead should be praising how sports brings people together and suggested that politicians could learn a lesson from the gridiron.

“Their efforts, both on and off the field, help bring people together and make our community stronger. There is no greater unifier in this country than sports, and unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics,” Kraft said. “I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal.”

Kraft, whose support of the president got him a shout from Trump during a pre-inauguration dinner, said he supports players’ ability to protest.

“Our players are intelligent, thoughtful and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful,” the statement said.

In a speech in Alabama on Friday night, Trump blasted players like former San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick for taking a knee during the national anthem.

“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,'” Trump said, adding, “‘He is fired.'”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called Trump’s comments “divisive” and “demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players.”