Chad Johnson doesn't like the direction NFL protests during the national anthem have taken.

The former All-Pro wide receiver didn't hold back when TMZ Sports asked for his thoughts on Denver Broncos players announcing they will stand during the anthem. He said the protests have been "politically whitewashed" and become "a goddamn Ice Bucket Challenge."

"We're not kneeling for the same reasons that (Colin) Kaepernick kneeled for 14 months ago," Johnson explained. "It's completely different."