NFL players, officials, owners protest Trump comments (12 images)

Players, coaches and owners locked arms, knelt or sat out the national anthem on the sidelines of NFL games on Sunday after President Donald Trump criticized players for such activism.

The NFL aired an ad late Sunday, calling for unity.

A New England Patriots fan holds up a sign in response to the national anthem controversy in Sunday's game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Matthew Healey/ UPI

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Members of the Oakland Raiders' remain seated during the national anthem before their game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

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Members of the Washington Redskins link arms during the national anthem before their game against the Raiders. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

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Numerous New England Patriots players take a knee during the national anthem prior to the game against the Texans. Photo by Matthew Healey/ UPI

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