Roger Goodell says he understands the national anthem kneelers are NOT disrespecting the flag or the military -- and wishes he would have listened sooner to Colin Kaepernick.
The NFL commish spells out his position during an interview on "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man" with ex -NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho -- who asked straight up what Goodell would say in a public apology to Kaepernick.
"The first thing I'd say is I wish we had listened earlier, Kap, to what you were kneeling about and what you were trying to bring attention to," Goodell said during the interview which dropped Sunday.