Goodell urges alternative to anthem protests

LOS ANGELES - National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell has encouraged players to engage in community outreach in the wake of fresh protests against playing the US national anthem at preseason games.

Goodell told an Arizona Cardinals fan forum on Monday that while it was important to embrace different viewpoints, there was a "time and a place" to speak out. His remarks came after Seattle Seahawks' Michael Bennett sat through the Star Spangled Banner on Sunday to raise awareness of racism and intolerance.

Bennett's protest followed an identical snub by Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch, who also remained seated during the anthem at a preseason game against Arizona.