Mike Ditka is a man who has always been against players kneeling during the National Anthem, but it had mostly been forgotten until this weekend.
On Sunday, the former Chicago Bears head coach spoke to TMZ Sports when he stated if a player “can’t respect our national anthem, get the hell out of the country.”
Former United State Marine Mansoor Shams is one of the people who did not agree with his stance and made that very clear with his Twitter response to him.
“Dear Mike Ditka: I’m a US Marine who served this Nation with his life. Yet I’ve NEVER felt it my place to tell anyone to “get the hell out of the country,” Shams wrote. “Let that sink in.
“PS: Athletes kneel to raise awareness for racial injustice. And you’re exactly one of the reasons why.”
Ex-NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy also took issue with Ditka.
“Ditka (and many others) say ‘if you can’t respect our national anthem, get the hell out of the country.’ What should we do with those who don’t respect the Constitution which says we have the rights of free speech and freedom of assembly?” Van Gundy asked.
