Did you hear his entire interview or you going to single out that one item? How about when Tomlin continued and stated that it was messed up to put Al in that situation and that he had nothing to apologize for? I guess that's not important, right? Doesn't fit the narrative.
Tomlin left the decision in the hands of the team. The TEAM, Villenueva included, agreed not to come out for the anthem. He changed his mind at the last minute and put the entire team in a negative light, while making himself look like a "hero".