WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is praising Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for his stance against players protesting during the national anthem.

  

Trump is on Twitter offering a "big salute" to Jones, who Trump says "will BENCH players who disrespect our Flag."

  

Trump writes that National League Football players should "Stand for Anthem or sit for game!"

  

Jones said Sunday, "If we are disrespecting the flag, then we won't play."

  

Earlier Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence left an Indianapolis Colts game in protest after about a dozen San Francisco players kneeled during the anthem. Trump tweeted later that he had told Pence to leave if any players kneeled.

  

Trump rekindled the on-field protests just over two weeks ago when he said any NFL players who kneeled during the anthem should be fired.