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Doug Pederson: 'I Encourage Everybody To Stand' For National Anthem

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson says he addressed his team on the controversial issue of standing during the National Anthem, and encourages his players to do so.

"I don't necessarily have a policy, per say," Pederson said on Tuesday. "I addressed it with the team. Listen, I can appreciate everybody's opinions and I respect everybody's opinions, but at the same time I feel that it is important. And it's obviously out of respect for the men and women of our country that sacrifice in order for us to play this great game.

"I get it, I understand it, but at the same time I encourage everybody to stand."

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the team's preseason game on Friday night, creating a national discussion.

"This is not something that I am going to run by anybody," Kaepernick told NFL Media. "I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. … If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right."

On Monday, Eagles rookie linebacker Myke Tavarres said he was going to sit during the National Anthem before Thursday's Eagles preseason game. However, Tavarres quickly changed his mind and apologized.

"I want to apologize for the distraction I've become to all of Eagle Nation," Tavarres said in a statement. "I feel passionate about racial issues going on in our country and I thought that sitting during the National Anthem would bring more awareness to this issue and encourage more constructive discussion to find solutions, but I feel I only made things worse."

The Eagles host the New York Jets on Thursday night in the final preseason game.

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