The NFL announced Saturday there had been "no change" in its policy regarding players who opt to kneel for the national anthem, despite a campaign on social media urging fans to boycott games in observance of Veterans Day, The Washington Times reported Saturday.

On Facebook, "Boycott the NFL" has more than 227,000 followers and suggests supporters tune out Sunday's games "in solidarity with veterans around the country." And a conservative watchdog group "2ndVote," which began the hashtag #STANDwithVets on Twitter, wants fans to "stiff-arm the NFL."

"We're sending the National Football League, its corporate sponsors, and the television networks a message this Veterans Day weekend!" said 2ndVote. "Americans are sick of the disrespectful national anthem protests that the NFL has not only allowed to continue, but has institutionalized in pregame ceremonies.

"Remember, several of the companies that do business with the NFL like DirecTV and Anheuser-Busch have signaled just how bad of a PR disaster the protests have been," said 2ndVote. "Join us this weekend and we'll hit the NFL and all of its sponsors where it counts!"

The NFL and NFLPA issued a joint statement that said "there has been no change in the current policy regarding the anthem" which says players "should" stand for the anthem. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFLPA issued a statement explaining they would discuss "important social issues" at the league meeting next week.

"The agenda will be a continuation of how to make progress on the important social issues that players have vocalized," the statement read. "Everyone who is part of our NFL community has a tremendous respect for our country, our flag, our anthem and our military, and we are coming together to deal with these issues in a civil and constructive way."

Some players have continued to kneel during the anthem as television viewership has dropped over the controversy. The protest began as a response to shootings of black men by police.