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Legendary Chicago Bears football coach Mike Ditka had a message for national anthem protesters like Colin Kaepernick on this day of remembrance for the United States.

In an interview with TMZ, Ditka agreed that it was disrespectful for players to not stand for the anthem on the anniversary of 9/11, when so many citizens and first responders lost their lives.

“People have a right to do what they want to do as long as they don’t break they law or hurt people,” he continued, adding that there would always be “malcontents.”

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When asked if the protesters should put it on hold on 9/11, Ditka said, “I’d like to see them put on hold every day. I mean there’s a time and place for everything. Before a football game is not the time and place for it. Period!”

When asked what his message would be for those who were planning on protesting “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Monday, the former coach said, “God bless America.”

Take a look:

It doesn’t get much more blunt than that.

Ditka has been vocal about what he thinks about Kaepernick and others who chose to dispresect the flag. Last September the retired coach said had no respect for the former San Francisco 49er. He also said that any player who would do such a thing wouldn’t play on his team.

The outspoken conservative has also been vocal about his support for President Donald Trump and his disapproval for former President Barack Obama. When asked about what he thought about Trump winning the presidency earlier this year, he said he would be surprised if Trump could mess up the country as much as Obama had done in the past eight years.

It is nice to know that Ditka is still telling it like it is.

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H/T The Right Scoop

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