In response to the NFL's new national anthem policy, New York Jets CEO Christopher Johnson said last week he would not discipline any player who violates the league's rules.
Johnson's position appears to have impressed his players, who have shown their support recently.
"We've been actively in conversations with Christopher on how we can go about it and other ways to make change," wide receiver Jermaine Kearse told reporters Tuesday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "I'm very appreciative of him. I think he kind of gets it, the fact that he has taken ownership, to support us and be actively involved."
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Johnson reportedly held a team meeting last Thursday, where he told players "where he stood," according to left tackle Kelvin Beachum. The Jets' CEO did vote for the policy but later made it clear he would support his players.
Head coach Todd Bowles echoed his players' appreciation.
"It's always nice to have the owner have your back," Bowles said. "It's about the issues for us. We didn't have a problem a year ago. We'll continue to talk as a group, as a team, and as an organization and go forward from there."
"We try to focus on the issues and do things behind the scenes that make a difference, as opposed to sitting out here and going tit for tat with a lot of this going on."
