Team owners, players and league executives held a confidential meeting in October, when they were under sharp criticism from President Trump over national anthem protests. During the three-hour session, the owners were particularly eager to find a way to avoid further public rebukes from Mr. Trump. [The full story on the private meeting is here.]

“The problem we have is, we have a president who will use that as fodder to do his mission that I don’t feel is in the best interests of America. It’s divisive and it’s horrible.”

— Patriots owner Robert Kraft​