President speaks on current issues

President Barack Obama joined Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio Friday and discussed a wide range of topics that included athletes speaking out on social issues and the NFL's new personal conduct policy.

"When you think of our greatest sports heroes -- Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, Arthur Ashe -- they spoke out on issues that mattered at pretty critical times," Obama said on the show. "And for athletes to recognize they are citizens as well as entertainers and have a voice that is legitimate, I think it is important. I think it is useful."

LeBron James, Derrick Rose and Lakers players including Kobe Bryant have worn "I Can't Breathe" T-shirts during warmups before games, referring to the final words spoken by Garner, who died after being put in a chokehold by police in Staten Island.

The president also acknowledged the NFL's struggles in handling domestic abuse under its previous personal conduct guidelines.

Check out the interview in the video above.