
President Donald Trump gave an impromptu press briefing while boarding Air Force One on Sunday evening to address his criticism of NFL players who took a knee during the national anthem.

He insisted that that his comments about the league have 'nothing' to do with race, telling reporters: 'I never said anything about race.

'This has nothing to do with race or anything else. This has to do with respect for our country and respect for our flag.'

And to reaffirm his pro-military stance, upon landing in Washington he met with Marine One pilot Major James Thompson and his family. Major Thompson recently completed his last flight in service and was introduced by Trump to reporters at the White House.

Driving his criticisms home for the evening, he then tweeted: 'Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their Country.

'NFL should change policy!'

It's unclear what policy Trump was referring to.

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President Donald Trump gave an impromptu press briefing while boarding Air Force One on Sunday evening to address his criticism of NFL players who took a knee during the national anthem

Major Thompson completed his last flight as pilot was introduced by Trump to reporters. Trump is pictured greeting Lynel Thompson, wife of the Marine pilot, and their two children

Upon his return to the White House he tweeted: 'Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their Country. 'NFL should change policy!'

During Sunday's NFL games more than 200 players defiantly reacted to Trump's criticism by kneeling, sitting linking arms, giving black power salutes and not even showing up for the singing of the anthem.

Unsurprisingly Trump took to Twitter to respond - writing: 'Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!'

He quickly followed up with: 'Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American Flag - we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!'

The tweets doubled down on comments he made during a speech in Alabama Friday night.

During the speech he said any player who protests racism by kneeling during the national anthem is a 'son of a b****'.

The protests were started before the 2016 season by quarterback Colin Kaepernick - who used his public platform to protest police brutality and racism.

Reaffirming his pro-military stance, the president also met with Marine One pilot Major James Thompson as he arrived back in Washington

On Sunday evening Trump told reporters that his criticism has 'nothing' to do with race, saying: 'I never said anything about race. 'This has nothing to do with race or anything else. This has to do with respect for our country and respect for our flag'

Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday afternoon after at least 200 players protested during the national anthem

Washington Redskins tight end Niles Paul (84) and linebacker Ryan Anderson (52) and Washington Redskins linebacker Chris Carter (55) kneel with teammates during the playing of the national anthem. Every member of the team and the coaches either took a knee or linked arms during the singing

Some members of the Oakland Raiders sit on the bench during the national anthem on Sunday night .The whole team and the coaches were in solidarity, either sitting or linking arms during the singing

All of the players for the Green Bay Packers locked arms during the national anthem before they took on the Cincinnati Bengals

Terrance Smith #48, Eric Fisher #72, Demetrius Harris #84, and Cameron Erving #75 of the Kansas City Chiefs is seen taking a knee before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday afternoon

The defiance against Trump continued as games kicked off across the country with at least 20 Patriots players kneeling and many of their teammates, including Tom Brady, locking arms in unity in Houston, Texas

Jacksonville Jaguars players were spotted kneeling during the U.S. national anthem before the match on Sunday

Baltimore Ravens players took a knee during the national anthem at Wembley in London on Sunday just hours after Donald Trump continued his growing feud with athletes

During Sunday evening's conference Trump also doubled down on calls for players who protest the flag to be fired saying: 'It's very disrespect to our flag and to our country, so I certainly think the owners should do something about it.'

Speaking about whether the players were just expressing their first amendment rights, he said: 'They have rights. We all have rights.

'But when you're on the field, and, you know, there's a situation gong on, this is a great, great country, and we have a great flag, and they should respect our flag.

'They’re making a lot of money. I’m not begrudging anything. I’m just saying they have to respect our flag, and they have to respect our country.

When asked about Robert Kraft's comments, Trump said he thought it was 'okay' that the Patriots owner was disappointed in him, saying: 'He has to take his ideas and go with what he wants.

'I think it's very disrespectful to our country. I think it's very disrespectful to our flag.'

On Sunday the owner, who has previously been forward about his friendship with the president, said the comments 'deeply disappointed' him.

The Houston Texans stand with their arms linked in solidarity ahead of the game against the Patriots

Detroit Lions defensive end Armonty Bryant (97), defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson (91) and defensive end Cornelius Washington (90) take a knee alongside their teammates

Philadelphia Eagles players and personnel stood by linked arms during the anthem before their game against the New York Giants

More than 20 Cleveland Browns' players took a knee ahead of the game against the Indianapolis Colts

Ravens players took a knee on the Wembley turf after Trump said sportsmen who 'disrespect America' should be 'fired'

Players from the Seahawks and Titans remained in their locker rooms ahead of their game in Nashville on Sunday afternoon. The sideline was empty (above) while the anthem played

Pittsburgh Steelers players were absent from the sideline (above on the right) during the anthem and only ran out onto the field when it ended

A handful of Miami Dolphins were spotted kneeling during the anthem while their remaining teammates locked arms in unity

Several Indianapolis Colts' players took a knee ahead of their game against the Cleveland Browns

New Orleans Saints players sit on the bench ahead of their against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina

On Sunday afternoon more than 200 players stood together to protest police brutality and Donald Trump's criticism's by either kneeling, linking arms, or just not showing up for the singing of the National Anthem.

Players from both the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars were the first to protest by taking a knee ahead of their game at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday morning. No players were kneeling during the playing of God Save The Queen - the British national anthem.

The defiance against Trump continued as games kicked off across the country with an unprecedented number of players kneeling and most teams in the early afternoon games locking arms in solidarity.

At least 20 Patriots players were spotted kneeling as Tom Brady linked arms with his teammates.

Pittsburgh Steelers players were absent from the sideline and remained in the locker room during the Star Spangled Banner. Alejandro Villanueva, who served three tours in Afghanistan, was the only Steelers' player to stand outside the tunnel for the anthem.

The protests from each team came in the wake of Trump's critical remarks toward players who don't stand for the anthem. Last week across the entire NFL, only four players knelt or sat, and two stood with their fists raised.

Players from the Seahawks and Titans remained in their locker rooms ahead of their game in Nashville on Sunday afternoon. The Seahawks walked onto the field arm in arm as members of the crowd booed.

The President took to Twitter on Sunday afternoon following the protests, tweeting: 'Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!'

'Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American Flag - we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!'

Trump had earlier denounced the kneeling protests by NFL players and rescinded a White House invitation for NBA champion Stephen Curry in a two day rant that targeted top professional athletes and brought swift condemnation from league executives and star players alike on Saturday.

Early Sunday morning, Trump continued his Twitter tirade and called for an NFL boycott.

'If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!' Trump tweeted.

'...NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.'

Jaguars owner Shad Khan joined his players on the field on Sunday in London and was spotted linking arms with them in a show of unity. Khan was among the owners who donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration.

'It was a privilege to stand on the sidelines with the Jacksonville Jaguars today for the playing of the U.S. national anthem at Wembley Stadium. I met with our team captains prior to the game to express my support for them, all NFL players and the league following the divisive and contentious remarks made by President Trump, and was honored to be arm in arm with them, their teammates and our coaches during our anthem,' Khan said, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said he '100 percent' supported his players' decision to kneel.

'We recognize our players' influence. We respect their demonstration and support them 100 percent. All voices need to be heard. That's democracy in its highest form,' he said.

The anthem singer at the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons game ended his performance of the Star Spangled Banner by kneeling and raising his fist in the air.