by Kadeem Simmonds

COLIN KAEPERNICK was told to “get the hell out” of the United States yesterday by former Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike Ditka.

Ditka is furious with the San Francisco 49ers quarterback for kneeling during the United States national anthem, which is played before NFL games, to raise awareness of racial injustice and police brutality in the US.

The hall of fame tight end then claimed that he doesn’t “see all the atrocities going on in this country that people say are going on.”

He said: “I think it’s a problem,” Ditka said when asked about Kaepernick’s decision not to to stand for the national anthem. “Anybody who disrespects this country and the flag, if they don’t like the country, they don’t like our flag, get the hell out.”

“I have no respect for Colin Kaepernick. He probably has no respect for me, that’s his choice. My choice is that I like this country, I respect our flag and I don’t see all the atrocities going on in this country that people say are going on.”

Ditka’s comments comes a month after United States president candidate Donald Trump told Kaepernick that “maybe he should find a country that works better for him” and 49ers head coach Chip Kelly backed the quarterback’s protest against the US national anthem.

“Well, I think it’s an issue,” said Kelly on Thursday. “You look at what’s gone on in Tulsa and Charlotte in the last two nights; it’s an issue that’s at the forefront of our country in that it needs to be addressed, it needs to be taken care of because what’s going on is not right.

“I think, again, he’s shedding light on a situation that is heinous and shouldn’t happen in this country. We all have inalienable rights as a citizen of this country and they’re being violated and that’s what I think Colin is standing up for.:

The riots in Charlotte called into question whether the game between the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings would go ahead tomorrow.

Protests began on Tuesday after black Charlotte police officer shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott, who also is black, in a flat car park about 15 minutes from where the Panthers play.

However, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said that “it would be good for the city,” and linebacker Thomas Davis agreed.

“This game absolutely should be played Sunday,” Davis said. “I look at football as a way to bring people together. I hope people know that violence is not the answer. It’s not the way to solve this problem.”