Falcons' owner defends players' rights in anthem protests

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP):

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank believes players should have the right to speak out on important issues even though he isn't expecting national anthem protests from his team this season.

Blank says just like last season, Falcons players have been asked to stand for the national anthem.

He said the Falcons are "very committed to the military." He also says he believes players have "very significant rights" and appeared to say he wouldn't fine players for exercising those rights.

Blank said players should be allowed to make their own decisions on what he described as the "complex issue" of standing or kneeling for the national anthem.

"So if you have players who still feel that's the way they have to express themselves, they will," he said, adding "I don't think you'll see" protests.

"But it's far better in my opinion to have somebody make those decisions themselves than to hit them over the head with a hammer," he said.

Blank's comments came as the National Football League (NFL) and NFL Players Association, the players' union, held what they said in a joint statement was "a constructive meeting" about the anthem policy. They said their talks will continue.