US President Donald Trump is continuing his feud with the National Football League over players' behaviour during the national anthem, lambasting players for a fourth straight day for what he is portraying as disrespect for the US flag.
Trump praised NASCAR race car drivers for not following a move in the NFL to kneel out of protest during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner at the start of the game, and dismissed criticism that his remarks were racially tinged.
"The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!" Trump wrote on Twitter.
Trump had earlier suggested a boycott of the league and called for players who protest social injustice to be dropped by their teams.
Trump was condemning players refusing to stand during the national anthem as part of the "Take A Knee" movement, which began a year ago in the NFL in protest of police brutality against African Americans.
"This isn't about the president being against anyone," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. "But this is about the president and millions of Americans being for something, being for honouring our flag, honouring our national anthem and honouring the men and women who fought to defend it."
Across the league on Sunday, at least 100 players knelt with bowed heads or remained seated during the anthem, while even more stood arm-in-arm with coaches, staff and even owners, in a show of solidarity with the rights of dissenters.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who has previously called himself a supporter of Trump, added himself to the list of athletes disagreeing with the president over the issue.
"I certainly disagree with what he said. I thought it was just divisive," Brady said in a radio interview.
National Basketball Association (NBA) players are also standing with the rights of protesters as the league gears up for its season.
Cleveland Cavaliers player LeBron James did not use Trump's name as he told reporters on Monday "the people run this country, not one individual - and damn sure not him."
He also criticised Trump for using sport as a platform "to try to divide us."
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