<p>NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter on Tuesday to the owner of each team regarding the protests that have taken place recently during the national anthem.</p> 
<p>In the letter, Goodell said the "current dispute over the National Anthem is threatening to erode the unifying power of our game, and is now dividing us, and our players, from many fans across the country."</p> 
<p>Goodell, who added that he's proud of the players and owners who have worked over the last year to "attempt to address the underlying issues within their communities," said the NFL believes everyone should stand for the anthem.</p> 
<p>"Like many of our fans, we believe that everyone should stand for the National Anthem," he wrote. "It is an important moment in our game. We want to honor our flag and our country, and our fans expect that of us. We also care deeply about our players and respect their opinions and concerns about critical social issues. The controversy over the Anthem is a barrier to having honest conversations and making real progress on the underlying issues. We need to move past this controversy, and we want to do that together with our players."</p> 
<p>The kneeling/protesting intensified in late-September after comments from President Donald Trump in response to Colin Kaepernick's protest of police brutality and inequality.</p> 
<p>During a campaign rally in Alabama, Trump said, "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he's fired. He's fired."</p> 
<p>Trump's comments quickly spawned protests in the NFL where many players did not stand for the singing of the national anthem.</p> 
<p>Earlier this week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he would bench any player who refused to stand for the anthem.</p> Saquon Barkley (26) Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports (Vincent Carchietta)
Goodell sends letter to NFL owners regarding kneeling during anthem