Giants owner: Trump has 'no understanding' of why players protest

New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch does not agree with how United States President Donald Trump is handling the NFL's national anthem protesting controversy - or the fact that Trump is addressing it at all.

"Hopefully he'll have much more going on that he's going have to deal with and should deal with and must deal with than worrying about what NFL players do," Tisch told Mark Malkin of The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. "He has no understanding of why they take a knee or why they're protesting. When the new season starts, I hope his priorities are not criticizing the NFL and telling owners what to do and what not to do."

Trump has been very vocal regarding the league's new anthem policy and protesting players. In May, he said players who do not stand for the anthem "shouldn't be in the country," and reportedly suggested punishing the NFL for its protesting players as part of a GOP tax reform.

The Giants co-owner said he stands behind his players if they choose to protest during the 2018 season, despite potential fines from the league.

"We support our players," Tisch said. "They are not going to be punished. There is not going to be any punitive action taking place against them."

Tisch made his comments before the NFL and NFLPA announced Thursday that they're working on a "resolution to the anthem issue." No new rules about demonstrations during the anthem will be enacted or enforced while those discussions continue.

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