Trump NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Comes Out for Protests

After President Donald Trump supported NASCAR owners and drivers for not protesting during the national anthem over the weekend, perennial racing star Dale Earnhardt Jr. came out in support of the protests.

Started during the last NFL season when former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem, and slowly growing, the issue reached a fever pitch over weekend when Trump suggested that NFL players should be fired for such protests.

NASCAR team owners Richard Childress and Richard Petty had slammed the protests, with Petty adding that he would fire anyone on his team who protested during the national anthem, the Sporting News reported.

But then Earnhardt, the sport's most popular driver, posted a message on Twitter supporting the protesters, using a quote from President John F. Kennedy.

All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable-JFK

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) September 25, 2017

In 2016, Earnhardt Jr. won NASCAR's National Motorsports Press Association Sprint Most Popular Driver award for the 14^th straight season. Earnhardt's father, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, drove on Childress team for 18 years, the Sporting News noted.

Trump praised the sport Monday after no driving team protested during Sunday's ISM Connect 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

So proud of NASCAR and its supporters and fans. They won't put up with disrespecting our Country or our Flag - they said it loud and clear!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017

Former Super Bowl-winning coach Joe Gibbs, who is also a NASCAR owner, said it was a "big deal" to honor America and the flag, ABC News reported. His driver, Kyle Busch, won Sunday's race.

"I'm proud of the way we've represented ourselves, and I'm proud of this sport, too," the former Washington Redskins' coach said, per ABC News. "I think this sport has a certain way they look at things. I really appreciate that."

NASCAR chairman Brian France supported Trump in last year's election, calling his decision "personal and private," ABC News wrote.

On Monday night, the Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones became to first team owner to take a knee with his team, but it was before the national anthem was played before the team's game against the Arizona Cardinals, The Washington Post reported.

• Kaepernick Ready to Play 'Right Now' as NFL Season in Week 3
• NFL Anthem: More Than 200 Players Sit or Kneel, AP Says