Bill O'Reilly told Newsmax TV on Thursday that "I don't know what the uproar is" over the decision by NFL owners Wednesday allowing players to remain in the locker room during "The Star-Spangled Banner" but requiring them to stand when they are on the field.
"I have said for 18 months that that's the solution," O'Reilly told "Newsmax Now" host John Bachman in an interview.
"The players who didn't want to honor the national anthem and the flag, stay in the locker room until they're over," he added. "Then, they can come out.
"That's the solution," O'Reilly said, "so you don't offend the patriots who want the flag and the anthem to be honored.
"I don't know what the uproar is over this."
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He also told Bachman: "If I were a club owner, I would give Tuesdays to the players to say whatever they wanted to the press.
"If you want to bad-mouth America, go right ahead," O'Reilly explained. "On Tuesday, you can do it.
"We're not stifling your freedom of speech. We're just making the workplace more hospitable to the customers who don't like you besmirching the flag.
"They'll have an outlet," he said. "Just don't do it in front of the paying customers who don't appreciate it."
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