NFL On Kneeling Players' Protests: 'We Were Wrong' Commissioner Says

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday the NFL admits, "we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest."

The statement, made in a video over Twitter, comes a day after nearly 20 players called on the NFL to take a stronger stance amid a nationwide protest of police brutality against black people.

We, the NFL, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.

But the league's statement makes no reference to former San Francisco Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has been the most visible protester within the NFL against police brutality and and racial inequality in the U.S.

Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem before games in 2016.

The issue was thrust into the public spotlight once again this week after one of the most high-profile players in the NFL, New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, spoke up saying he didn't support players kneeling during the national anthem.