Players and teams throughout the NFL "continued to protest during the national anthem" ahead of the early Week 4 games today. The Jets "locked arms" for the anthem, and "no player" knelt. Every Jaguars player "took a knee before the playing of the national anthem but stood during the song" (SI.com, 10/1). Members of the Falcons and Bills linked arms on their respective sidelines in Atlanta, while six Bills players took a knee during the anthem (THE DAILY). Fox' Joe Buck noted ahead of Panthers-Patriots, everyone "was standing on each sideline." Panthers DE Julius Peppers was "stepped back from his team, but standing nonetheless" ("Panthers-Patriots," Fox, 10/1). Most Patriots had their "right hand over their heart and left arm around player next to them” (TWITTER.com, 10/1). Meanwhile, Ravens players knelt before the anthem in Baltimore to "pray for unity and equality, and fans boo the crap out of them" (TWITTER.com, 10/1). The Steelers before their game against the Ravens "stood on the sideline" during the anthem (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 10/1). In London, the entire Saints team "knelt prior to the singing" of the anthem before their game against the Dolphins. The team stood up when the song began (NOLA.com, 10/1). Three Dolphins players knelt during the anthem, then stood for "God Save The Queen" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 10/1).

The protests today come after President Trump yesterday tweeted it is "very important" for NFL players to stand during the anthem. Later in the day, he "tweeted a clip of the anthem being performed -- with fans singing a portion of it" -- before a Blackhawks-Blues game from election night last year, with the words, "19,000 RESPECTING our National Anthem! #StandForOurAnthem" (USATODAY.com, 9/30).

Meanwhile, Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones on Friday confirmed that he did speak with President Trump last week, noting, "He was complimentary, which doesn't mean that in any way we acquiesced to what he was implying. ... It was a simple discussion. I know him. I've known him for several years. ... There are many things we don't agree on" (DALLASNEWS.com, 9/29).

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday held a meeting with NFL owners in N.Y., making it clear that the subject of player protests "wasn't going to be an issue that would go away overnight," according to sources. He also noted that owners "needed to find a solution that worked for everyone" going forward. Goodell began by "recapping the previous night's meeting" with a select group of players and owners. Goodell said of the protests, "We can't just tell them to stop." The Cowboys' Jerry Jones said that the owners "had to find a sincere way to listen" to player concerns. Jones: "How do we address the root issue for the players on this? In the long run, it's not good to kneel. People don't want football to be politicized, but there's a need to do something to listen to our players and help them." The meeting ended "without a clear path forward" (ESPN.com, 10/1).

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said owners expressed concerns "about sponsors, suite-holders, season-ticket holders all pulling out." The 2 hour, 15-minute meeting was a “watershed moment” in league history. Schefter: "Everybody recognized in that room that the NFL is at a real crossroads here with real threats to the game and real threats to the dollars, the dollars involved in the game. And the owners talked about the platforms they could help give the players to voice their message and to get the support that they need" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 10/1).

The Warriors last night "elected not to participate in a protest demonstration" prior to tipoff of their game against the Nuggets. The Nuggets chose to "lock arms." Warriors F Andre Iguodala: "We've done enough. We talked about how we've done enough and how we're going about things a certain way. We feel like our voices are being heard." Warriors F Draymond Green: "Everyone knows where we stand." This comes as NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum "sent a memo to all 30 teams on Friday reminding them of the guidelines that require each player, coach and training staff member to stand for the anthem" (ESPN.com, 9/30).

Video from tonight's Nuggets-Warriors preseason game where the teams are linking arms during the anthem after a week of protests in the NFL pic.twitter.com/zFfdVMMfqg

— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) October 1, 2017

President Trump is "expected to arrive" at 3:00pm ET for the final day of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club. Trump will "spend about three hours in the PGA Tour commissioner's suite inside the clubhouse at Liberty National before taking part in the trophy ceremony on the 14th green" around 6:00pm. Trump will "depart the course shortly after the trophy ceremony." Trump also "attended the U.S. Women's Open" at Trump National Golf Club in July (NJ.com, 10/1).

Altice and Disney have "agreed to extend the expiration of their carriage contract" through 5:00pm ET today, but there are "no signs of movement in a struggle that could leave 3.1 million subscribers to Altice’s Optimum cable service without access to ABC, ESPN and other Disney networks" (DEADLINE.com, 9/29). Some sources "describe the talks as fluid, but others say neither side has budged from its original position on how much Altice should pay" to carry ABC, Disney Channel and ESPN (NYPOST.com, 10/1).

The Heat tonight will become the "first franchise in the NBA to completely transition" to mobile ticketing for their 6:00pm ET preseason game against the Hawks at AmericanAirlines Arena. Parking at AmericanAirlines Arena and Bayside Marketplace "will also be mobile only." The team recently "released the latest update" of their team app, which includes an "enhanced Mobile Wallet -- the fastest way to make food, beverage and retail purchases in the arena" (MIAMI HERALD, 9/30).

The Mavericks yesterday unveiled their new locker room, which is "bathed mostly in white with blue lighting and tons of luxurious touches." The most "significant upgrade is in the oxygen system, lighting system and the scents that are pumped into the room." Mavs Owner Mark Cuban said, "We reached out to scientists that re-oxygenate the casinos to keep people awake and alert. It pulls out the oxygen, cleans it and re-oxygenates it. And we did the same thing with the lighting." Meanwhile, the actual locker stalls have ventilated shoe drawers and "bigger screens for their televisions and laptops" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/1). Cuban added of new facial-recognition technology, "When a player walks in or anybody walks in, we’ll have facial recognition that will take a picture of you and say ok, 'Here comes Mark,' 'Here comes Dirk'" (USATODAY.com, 9/30).

Stars TV play-by-play man and longtime hockey broadcaster Dave Strader this morning died at the age of 62 after "battling an incurable form of cancer." After joining the Stars in the '15-16 season, Strader was "limited to calling just five games last year" after his diagnosis (DALLASNEWS.com, 10/1). In addition to working with the Stars, Strader was a "national broadcaster on NBC Sports." He also previously called games for the Red Wings, Coyotes, Panthers and "worked three Olympic Games" (AP, 10/1). Strader was honored by the Hockey HOF on April 17 as the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award (Stars).

White Sox TV man Hawk Harrelson today is working his final game "on the road as a broadcaster" for  White Sox-Indians. Harrelson, who worked road games only as he scaled back his workload the last two seasons, will do a "limited amount of home games" in '18. Road production crews have "given Harrelson cards and cake." Harrelson: "The difficult part is over." Harrelson said that he "still will watch the Sox closely and will broadcast selected games to be determined." He said, "I'll do 20 or 25 games next year" (SUNTIMES.com, 9/30).

Jay-Z wore what "appeared to be a Colin Kaepernick jersey" during his "SNL" performance. The jersey was a custom black 49ers jersey with "Colin K" on the back. During his second performance, he "wore a simple plain white t-shirt" (SI.com, 10/1). 

Protesters in Busch Stadium on Friday night "unfurled a banner" at Brewers-Cardinals with a "rendition of the Cardinals' mascot and the words: 'Stop Killing Us.'" The demonstration comes two weeks after the "acquittal of a white police officer in the shooting death of a black suspect" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 9/30).

Thunder G Russell Westbrook "agreed to a five-year contract extension Friday" that will keep him on the team through the '22-23 season. The extension is the "largest in NBA history," estimated at $205M over five years. His average salary of $38.8M is "projected to eclipse" that of Rockets G James Harden's $38M (OKLAHOMAN, 10/1).

Five Univ. of New Mexico football players last night "took a knee on the sideline" during the national anthem in a game against Air Force. Others "locked arms" during the anthem (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/1).

Hornets Exec VP & Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Pete Guelli said that yesterday was the "biggest response the franchise has had" to one of its free open practices. When doors opened at noon ET, a line to get in "snaked around half of the Spectrum Center" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/1).

"It's why we do what we do, but it's so intense it's probably not good for my longevity" -- Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, on the stressful nature of his job during the season (L.A. TIMES, 10/1).

"It doesn't look like we are trying, but we are trying very hard" -- Presidents Cup Int'l Team captain Nick Price, on the squad's 14.5-3.5 point deficit heading into the final day of competition (ESPN.com, 9/30).

SI.com's Scooby Axson wrote under the header, "I Am An African-American Army Veteran, and I Take No Offense To National Anthem Protests." Axson: "I take no offense to those who take a knee to stand up against injustice." Axson: "When the national anthem plays ... I bow my head, praying for those families who have lost loved ones and those who are currently serving. ... I have also removed myself before the playing of the anthem and will take a knee if I so choose to. ... Am I disrespecting the flag or the anthem? Absolutely not." The BOSTON GLOBE goes with the header, "NFL Players Will Keep Taking A Stand For Social Justice -- Until The Message Is At Least Acknowledged."

The N.Y. TIMES writes under the header, "The 'Hustler' Vs. The Feminist Champion: Inside The 'Battle Of The Sexes." The match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in '73 -- and "all the ruckus leading up to it -- didn’t need much in the way of Hollywood treatment." As coverage at the time reflected, it was "already full of drama and pomp." Tens of thousands of fans were "watching in person," and tens of millions "tuned in on television."

Elsewhere:

• Navigating anthem debate could "create defining moments" for NFL coaches.
• Is Belmont Park the right fit for a new Islanders arena?
• The estimated cost of injuries in contact sports.
• Should the NFL stop playing the national anthem before games?
• How Lambeau Field saved the Packers in Green Bay.

Some big hitters lining up behind suspended #Louisville AD Tom Jurich. Board of Trustees meeting Monday should be lively.

— Tim Sullivan (@TimSullivan714) October 1, 2017

Hey @LSU, thanks for having us down for homecoming! We really enjoyed it! 😁

— Troy University (@TROYUnews) October 1, 2017

Bones just went 4 for 4 in his commentary clubbing these guys on 18. What a tremendous addition he's been to an already stacked team.

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) September 29, 2017

Any school that wants to host @CollegeGameDay , take notes from Va Tech and its crowd and setting.

— Lee Fitting (@leefitting) September 30, 2017

Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis tweak Jay Cutler a bit, saying “he was our partner for like 90 days.”

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 1, 2017

One time for the Nature boy.. #Wooooooooo!!!! #KissStealing #JetFlying #RolexWearing #BeanTalking pic.twitter.com/IzlpTNh3pK

— Mohamed Sanu Sr. (@Mo_12_Sanu) October 1, 2017

Tonight's "60 Minutes" on CBS profiles USMNT MF Christian Pulisic.

Clippers F Sam Dekker works as an undercover employee for Smart & Final Stores as part of a new deal between the team and grocery store. 

$985,000 -- Amount LSU paid Troy to play in Tiger Stadium for its homecoming last night. Troy won 24-21 (TWITTER.com, 9/30).