The Buffalo Bills have removed a controversial ad from the team's Facebook page after it sparked nearly 100 comments over its potentially insensitive nature.
The post promoted a sale on Buffalo Bills official merchandise while showing a player kneeling with his helmet on the ground.
The ad was posted Friday morning, but taken down early Friday afternoon.
The Bills have not yet responded to a request for comment.
The ad comes amid national controversy over whether NFL players should be allowed to kneel during the national anthem as a form of protest.
Several Bills players and players from other NFL teams have knelt during the national anthem in response to comments President Trump made during a rally for Senate candidate Luther Strange in Alabama.
Trump said, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bit-- off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’”
NFL team owners, including Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula, have supported their players' right to protest.
Trump and his aides have argued that the protests are unpatriotic and disrespectful to the flag and those who have fought to protect the US, while the players' defenders argue that they are exercising free speech by not participating in the anthem while standing with their hands over their hearts.
While players are encouraged to stand during the national anthem, it is not required under NFL rules.
