NFL: 'No league-wide directive' how teams handle anthem amid Trump attacks

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)

NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said Thursday "there is no league-wide directive" regarding how teams should approach the national anthem in the wake of daily criticism from President Donald Trump over wide-spread protests, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

However, while the NFL isn't looking to demonstrate in one singular, planned way, Lockhart said the league's hierarchy is "unified" following a two-day meeting in New York City.

"They're unified in the sense that attacks on the league are unfair and unfounded," Lockhart said, according to MMQB.com's Albert Breer.

Asked about statements made about the league in the last 12 hours, Lockhart said: "They're not accurate. They're not factual," but made no specific mention of Trump, according to The Washington Post's Mark Maske.

Trump said Thursday he believes NFL owners "are afraid of their players."

Roughly 180 players across the NFL protested during the "Star-Spangled Banner" in some form, with some opting to kneel or sit while others stood with linked arms.

The increased demonstrations came in the wake of Trump calling for any player who protested to be "fired" during a rally in Alabama last week. Trump also referred to any protesting player as a "son of a bitch."

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