Saints' Watson: NFLPA must push 'true narrative' that players love country

New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson is urging the NFLPA to continue to project the narrative that players are indeed patriotic and respect the military amid the ongoing national debate.

After receiving approval from league owners, the NFL implemented a policy in May, which states that players will be expected to stand for the national anthem prior to a game if they are on the sidelines.

Watson, who serves on the NFLPA's executive committee, believes the union should step up its efforts to defend its players and keep the issue in perspective.

"Well, a lot has happened, and I’m not just talking about (Monday) or the day before," Watson told Jason Reid of The Undefeated. "It’s imperative that we, the union, are able to weed out all of the back-and-forth, the name-calling, and bickering that we see when it comes to the public discourse, and have a strong stance to continue defending our players and supporting our players.

"And we also have to continue to push the narrative, the true narrative, that our players love their country and they love the military. We have to keep pushing the truth. We shouldn’t have to say that, but it seems we’re backed into a place where we do have to keep saying that. And we will keep saying that."

Watson is also demanding more player input when the collective bargaining agreement is renegotiated after its expiration in 2021.

"Well, moving forward, we want to be partners with the league, especially when it comes to CBA talks as well as things that are going on now," Watson said. "We want to be at the table together. We want to make decisions, especially big decisions, collectively instead of having it be a unilateral approach where the league makes decisions without player input. It’s better for everyone if we do it together.

"On the one hand, it is concerning that this hasn’t happened here. On the other hand, it doesn’t mean it has to continue this way. And the good thing is, the decision that was made in Atlanta ... all the owners weren’t totally behind it."

President Donald Trump has repeatedly taken issue with players kneeling during the anthem and offered support for the league's new policy while disinviting the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles from the White House on Monday. Trump argued the Eagles disagreed with the anthem, causing him to rescind the invite and later state that he would not invite the winner of the 2018 NBA Finals either.