Popovich slams Trump's 'childishness,' 'gratuitous fear-mongering' after political sports weekend

"Our country is an embarrassment to the world." Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich speaks out about U.S. politics and President Donald Trump during Spurs Media Day on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. "Our country is an embarrassment to the world." Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich speaks out about U.S. politics and President Donald Trump during Spurs Media Day on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. Photo: Jim Lefko/Twitter Photo: Jim Lefko/Twitter Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Popovich slams Trump's 'childishness,' 'gratuitous fear-mongering' after political sports weekend 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

Spurs players have "the right and ability" to express their political opinions, said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich during the team's media day on Monday, following a weekend that saw football players across the league do just that.

Popovich didn't mince words when speaking about Donald Trump and the weekend's NFL drama.

"Our country is an embarrassment to the world," he said during the press conference.

WATCH: Full video of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich comments on Trump, NFL anthem protests

Of his own players, he said, "They have our full support. No matter what they might want to do or not to do, it is important to them to be respected by us, and there is no recrimination no matter what might take place unless it's ridiculously egregious."

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He said the the country needed to have discussions on race and that "people have to be made to feel uncomfortable."

"Obviously race is the elephant in the room and we all understand that. Unless it is talked about constantly it is not going to get better," he said.

Popovich added, "Because you were born white you have advantages ... Many people can't look at it, it's too difficult."

UNCENSORED: Full transcript of Gregg Popovich's thoughts on Donald Trump

Popovich mentioned "childishness" and "gratuitous fear-mongering" within the recent mix of sports and politics and said he was shocked at recent comments by NASCAR owners, particularly Richard Childress, who was Dale Earnhardt's longtime team owner, saying if anyone protests, "It'll get you a ride on a Greyhound bus."

"That's where I live," Popovich said. "I had no idea that I lived in a country where people would actually say that sort of thing. I'm not totally naive, but I think these people have been enabled by an example that we've all been given. You've seen in Charlottesville."

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He also called called Trump's decision to rescind his invitation to the White House to last year's champion Golden State Warriors "disgusting" and "comical."

"I thought it was comical it was rescinded because they weren't going anyway," he said.

mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkye | Staff writes Jim Lefko and Tom Orsborn contributed to this report.