Sarah Palin says Americans should band together to drive Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback who refused to stand for the Star-Spangled Banner, out of the National Football League.
"America — let's sack this ungrateful punk," the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate said Monday on her Facebook page.
During a pre-season game with Green Bay Packers last Friday, the 28-year-old athlete remained seated during the playing of the National Anthem.
Kaepernick later explained, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."
He was quickly blasted on Twitter. Politicians and fellow players also took him to task, as did Palin who urged him to "get the hell out."
"Kaepernick — yeah, you're really 'down with the oppressed' in this nation. Enjoying your $114 million contract, your previous adoring fans, sucking up a life of luxury," Palin said.
"GOD AND COUNTRY GAVE YOU THIS OPPORTUNITY. You can't acknowledge that? Then on behalf of every Vet I'm privileged to know: GET THE HELL OUT."
While the NFL strongly encourages its players to stand during the Star-Spangled Banner, it does not require them to. The 49ers organization said it backed Kaepernick's right to protest.
Rep. Peter King of New York said: "Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the national anthem is entirely wrong. It is also an indicator of how low our cultural standards have been degraded that anyone is actually supporting this behavior."
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