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Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie responds to Trump; Malcolm Jenkins calls on fans to lock arms

The Eagles owner responded to Trump's condemnation of protests during the national anthem.

Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles responded to President Trump’s criticism of players protesting during the national anthem.
Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles responded to President Trump’s criticism of players protesting during the national anthem.Read moreED ZURGA / AP

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie responded through a statement to President Trump's criticism of Colin Kaepernick and the protests of racial inequality he and fellow NFL players — including Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins — have conducted during the national anthem.

Speaking at a 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 b—- off the field right now. He's fired.' "

Lurie's statement read: "The best of us lend our compassion and determination to the aid of others.

"Every day I see the genuine dedication and hard work of our players. And I support them as they take their courage, character and commitment into our communities to make them better or to call attention to injustice. Having spoken with our players, I can attest to the great respect they have for the national anthem and all it represents. We at the Philadelphia Eagles firmly believe that in this difficult time of division and conflict, it is more important than ever for football to be a great unifier."

Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith and Jenkins, who does not take a knee but instead raises his right fist, were part of a four-man group of NFL players who endorsed a memo sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell advocating for the league to support their pursuit for racial equality and criminal justice reform.

On Sunday morning, Jenkins asked Eagles fans at Lincoln Financial Field for the Birds' game against the Giants to lock arms with each other in a show of unity.

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