President Donald Trump says the NFL has shown "total disrespect" for the United States by deciding not to force players to stand for the national anthem.
The national league's commissioner, Roger Goodell, confirmed players were not asked for a commitment to stand for the National Anthem, and that the issue of the NFL's policy on the national anthem did not come up.
That policy states that the players "should" stand for the anthem. Goodell said in a memo to the teams last week that the NFL prefers for players to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner".
But Trump remains adamant the league is not imposing mandatory standing for the pre-match anthem.
Trump tweeted: "The NFL has decided that it will not force players to stand for the playing of our National Anthem. Total disrespect for our great country!"
The owners meetings continue on Wednesday, when the anthem could be discussed.