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John Lynch Calls Sideline Protests 'Divisive,' Talks Free Speech

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said Wednesday he believes football can be a "tremendous unifier" for the country and that pregame protests are "divisive."

"That's divisive," Lynch said of players who sit or kneel during the national anthem, per the Mercury News' Cam Inman. "I understand guys see things and they’re not happy. They have that right. We'll always respect people's rights. That doesn't mean I believe that. I believe this should actually be celebrated for what it is, a tremendous unifier for our country and the way things should be.