In a statement to team owners today, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will discuss at its meeting next week the controversy over players refusing to stand during the national anthem at games.

“Like many of our fans, we believe everyone should stand for the National Anthem,” Goodell said. “It is an important moment in the game. We want to honor the flag and our country, and our fans expect that of us.”

JUST IN: In letter to NFL owners, Roger Goodell says: "We believe that everyone should stand for the National Anthem." pic.twitter.com/iveGOQgJnz — NBC News (@NBCNews) October 10, 2017

“The controversy over the Anthem is a barrier to having honest conversations and making real progress on the underlying issues,” Goodell stated.

The statement comes on the heels of Vice President Mike Pence’s much-publicized departure from a Colts-49ers game on Sunday. Pence left the game in Indianapolis shortly after several players kneeled during the national anthem.

I left today's Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem. — Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017

“I left today’s Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem,” Pence said in a statement. “At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience, now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us.”