Mike Ditka Says Colin Kaepernick Should 'Get the Hell Out' of America

Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka had some harsh words for 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his national anthem protest.

“I think it’s a problem… anybody who disrespects this country and the flag,” said Ditka during a recent radio interview. “If they don’t like the country, they don’t like our flag… get the hell out.”

Kaepernick has become a divisive figure, even beyond the sports world, because of his decision this season to kneel during the national anthem before his games. Kaepernick is sitting out the “Star-Spangled Banner” to protest racial injustice in America.

Also Read: Colin Kaepernick Is Most Disliked NFL Player, Says Survey

“I have no respect for Colin Kaepernick – he probably has no respect for me, that’s his choice” said Ditka. “My choice is, I like this country, I respect our flag, and I don’t see all the atrocities going on in this country that people say are going on.”

The Hall of Fame coach said during his appearance on Dallas’s 105.3 The Fan’s “Shan & RJ” show that Kaepernick’s protest comes from his inability to look on the bright side.

“I see opportunities if people want to look for opportunity — now if they don’t want to look for them — then you can find problems with anything, but this is the land of opportunity because you can be anything you want to be if you work,” he said. “If you don’t work… that’s a different problem.”

Also Read: Colin Kaepernick Says He Gets Death Threats: 'There's A Lot of Racism Disguised as Patriotism'

Kaepernick’s protest has drawn quite a bit of criticism since the start of football season, with a recent survey of Americans finding that the player is easily the most disliked player in the NFL. Many others, including Steve Harvey and “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah have voiced support for Kaepernick and his protest.

Colin Kaepernick Controversy: 8 Stars Weigh In, From Donald Trump to Spike Lee

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has refused to stand for the national anthem because he won't "show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people," and just about everyone has an opinion.

Click on for the highest-profile hot takes on both sides of the issue...
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Colin Kaepernick

"To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way," the quarterback told NFL Media. "There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Also Read: 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick Refuses to Stand For National Anthem
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Spike Lee

The famed filmmaker praised Kaepernick, telling CNN's Anderson Cooper that his protest was "in the same tradition" as actions taken by Muhammad Ali.

Lee further noted that Ali was once "the most hated person in America" for a similar stance.

Also Read: Spike Lee Compares Colin Kaepernick to Muhammad Ali for National Anthem Protest
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Donald Trump

"Maybe he should find a country that works better for him, let him try. It won't happen," GOP presidential nominee said on KIRO radio.

Trump is a polarizing figure, especially when it comes to matters of racial sensitivity.

Also Read: Donald Trump Agrees With ‘Liberal’ New York Times on Clinton Foundation
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Jim Brown

The former NFL great told ESPN he stands "100 percent" behind Kaepernick.

"He's within his rights and he's telling the truth as he sees it," Brown said. "The young men of today are stepping up. For so many years they did not step up."

Also Read: 49ers Icon Jerry Rice Tells Colin Kaepernick ‘All Lives Matter,’ ‘Don’t Disrespect the Flag’
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Stephen A. Smith

The polarizing "First Take" host said Kaepernick "personified what a protest is supposed to be.”

He continued: “There’s a difference between bringing attention to something, and sacrificing. And I’m telling you right now, when you look at what Colin Kaepernick did, this was a sacrifice.”

Also Read: Skip Bayless Reveals Why ESPN Almost Canceled ‘First Take’
ESPN
Jerry Rice

"All lives matter. So much going on in this world today. Can we all just get along! Colin, I respect your stance but don't disrespect the Flag," the 49ers legend tweeted.

Rice played most of his pro football career in San Francisco and is widely considered to be the best wide receiver of all time. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Also Read: 49ers Icon Jerry Rice Tells Colin Kaepernick ‘All Lives Matter,’ ‘Don’t Disrespect the Flag’
TheWrap
Charlie Sheen

The infamous actor told TMZ he supports Kaepernick. "I get both sides of it," he said.

Asked point blank whether he supported the athlete's decision, Sheen was more effusive, declaring, "F--- yeah."

Also Read: Spike Lee Compares Colin Kaepernick to Muhammad Ali for National Anthem Protest
CBS
Jim Harbaugh

The former 49ers coach said he doesn't “respect” Kaepernick's protest, according to ESPN.

Harbaugh was an early mentor to Kaepernick and is now head coach at the University of Michigan.

Also Read: Spike Lee Compares Colin Kaepernick to Muhammad Ali for National Anthem Protest
Twitter
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The NBA legend wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post ripping critics of the protest.

Abdul-Jabbar is a former cultural ambassador for the United States and recently authored a book called “Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White.”

Also Read: Colin Kaepernick Gets Thumbs-Up From Charlie Sheen (Video)

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Charlie Sheen and Jim Brown also take sides in QB’s refusal to stand for the national anthem

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has refused to stand for the national anthem because he won't "show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people," and just about everyone has an opinion.

Click on for the highest-profile hot takes on both sides of the issue...

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Colin Kaepernick Controversy: 8 Stars Weigh In, From Donald Trump to Spike Lee

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