MN Congressman Will Boycott The NFL Over Anthem Policy

Minnesota Democrat Rep. Keith Ellison says despite being a "massive" football fan, he won't be watching any NFL games as long as the league keep its recently-enacted "kneeling ban" in place.

"I hope the owners realize that freedom of expression is as American as you can get," Ellison, whose district includes Minneapolis and a handful of suburbs, said on Facebook Thursday.

This season, NFL players will be required to either stand for the national anthem before the game or remain in the locker room until the anthem has been performed.

The new policy comes nearly two years after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the "Star-Spangled Banner" in protest of police violence. Kaepernick's move prompted athletes throughout the league to follow.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement that said the policy adopted last month "was approved in concert with the NFL's ongoing commitment to local communities and our country — one that is extraordinary in its scope, resources and alignment with our players."

President Donald Trump has made kneeling during the anthem a recurring issue during campaign rallies, even at one point suggesting that if a player disrespects the flag, he should be fired.

Trump said he supports the NFL's new rule.

Ellison Thursday accused Trump of abusing his presidential power and coercing the NFL into limiting freedom of speech.

"Let’s be clear about what occurred: The president of the United States used the power of his office to pressure a group of business people to restrict the rights and the expression of their employees," he said.

"That’s not just unfortunate — it’s deeply troubling."

Michael Woyton, Patch Staff contributed to this report.

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images