‘Divisive’ and ‘Disastrous’: The Most Biting Comments N.F.L. Owners Made About Trump

Team owners, players and league executives held a confidential meeting in October, when they were under sharp criticism from President Trump over national anthem protests. During the three-hour session, the owners were particularly eager to find a way to avoid further public rebukes from Mr. Trump. [The full story on the private meeting is here.]

“The problem we have is, we have a president who will use that as fodder to do his mission that I don’t feel is in the best interests of America. It’s divisive and it’s horrible.”

— Patriots owner Robert Kraft​

“We’ve got to be careful not to be baited by Trump or whomever else. We have to find a way to not be divided and not get baited.”

​“Another fact I want to throw out there: Many of us have no interest in supporting President Trump. Yes, there are some. There are some players who do, too.”

“But this is not where you brandish a group of people because they own assets in a sport we love, supporting what many of us perceive as, you know, one disastrous presidency. Don’t quote me.”

— Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie

“All Donald needs to do is to start to do this again. We need some kind of immediate plan because of what’s going on in society. All of us now, we need to put a Band-Aid on what’s going on in the country.”

​— Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula​

“All the damage Trump’s going to do is done​.​”

​— Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan