The San Francisco 49ers quarterback who refused to stand for the Star-Spangled Banner last week is "an arrogant fool" who "seems determined to dig himself into a pit," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee says.
"The $20 million or so that [Colin] Kaepernick makes every year is over 800 times what the average active duty US Army enlistee makes for protecting his right to be an arrogant fool," Huckabee wrote Tuesday on his 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 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."
While he has been widely condemned on social media, the 49ers organization said it backed Kaepernick's right to protest.
But Huckabee remains disgusted.
"I always think that when a guy seems determined to dig himself into a pit, there's no point in grabbing a shovel to help him," he said.
"So I haven't piled onto [him] for his comments about … the unfair, oppressive country that's enabled him to become a multi-millionaire by being good at playing a game (although not as good as he used to be)."
On Monday, former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin also let loose on Kaepernick.
"America — let's sack this ungrateful punk. 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 wrote on Facebook.
"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.
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