US President Donald Trump has canceled Tuesday's planned visit of the Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles to the White House. He says he retracted the invitation because the team disagreed with his call to require football players to stand for the national anthem. CGTN's reporter Jim Spellman has more.  

When the National Football League kicks off its season later this year, players will be required to stand for the U.S. national anthem or stay in the locker room. No taking a knee allowed.

ROGER GOODELL NFL COMMISSIONER "If anyone is on the field and is disrespectful to the anthem or the flag there would be a fine from the league against the team."

In 2016, Quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the playing of the U.S. national anthem -- protesting treatment of African Americans by police after a series of high-profile shootings of mostly unarmed black men by police officers. Playing the national anthem is a long-standing tradition at sporting events in the U.S. Most in attendance stand and face the flag. Kaepernick was later cut from the team and hasn't played in the league since. But other players joined in and the protests spread. While many fans supported the players, others saw it as disrespectful to the American flag and U.S. military veterans.

DOMINIC PURDY FOOTBALL FAN "If it continues, as bad as it, if it continues with the disrespect of the flag, I'll boycott it."

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken out against the protests and supports the new NFL policy.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "I think that's good. I don't think people should be staying in locker rooms, but still I think it's good. You have to stand, proudly, for the national anthem. Or you shouldn't be playing, you shouldn't be there. Maybe you shouldn't be in the country."

The new policy is splitting opinions among fans and players-- and has become about more than just the flag or the right to protest in the U.S.

NOE GARCIA FOOTBALL FAN "I feel a little offended. I think Trump just completely took off. It started with Kaepernick and he turned it into something different. Now, everybody is kneeling just to spite Trump."

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON "Players say the protests were never about disrespecting the flag, but rather a way of calling attention to injustice in America. It's not clear if any players will choose to take a knee this coming season. The CEO of the New York Jets says he supports his players' freedom of speech and if anyone kneels, the team will pay the fines. Jim Spellman, CGTN, Washington."