Wave of protests hit NFL after Trump criticism

Dozens of players at several games across the league chose to kneel during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," in the largest such demonstration since the protests first began in 2016.

The first mass protest took place at the National Football League's London game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium.

A large number of players from both teams knelt during the playing of the anthem while others stood with their arms interlocked.

Among those linking arms with the players was Jacksonville owner Shad Khan, who donated $1 million to Trump's election campaign in 2016.

Khan later issued a statement decrying Trump's recent comments as "divisive and contentious."

"That's why it was important for us, and personally for me, to show the world that even if we may differ at times, we can and should be united in the effort to become better as people and a nation," Khan said.

The London protests were emulated across the United States as matches kicked off.

In Foxborough, around 15 members of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots kneeled during the national anthem.

Star quarterback Tom Brady linked arms with his team-mates, while Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a friend of Trump who also donated to his campaign, issued a statement saying he was "deeply disappointed" by Trump's remarks on Friday.

In Chicago, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to remain in their locker room during the anthem ahead of their clash with the Bears.

Trump responded to the protests on Twitter.

In subsequent remarks to reporters, Trump denied there was a racial dimension to his criticism of activist athletes, most of whom are black.

"This has nothing to do with race or anything else. This has to do with respect for our country and respect for our flag," Trump said.