Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE (R-Texas) on Saturday lambasted his Democratic challenger, Rep. Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE, for supporting NFL players' protests during the national anthem.

“When Beto O’Rourke says he can’t think of anything more American (than players taking a knee), well I got to tell you, I can,” Cruz said during a campaign stop in Corpus Christi, Texas, according to The Caller Times.

Cruz, who is running against O'Rourke for state Senate, reportedly went on to use service members as an example, noting that those on U.S. military posts salute the flag and stand for the national anthem.

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Cruz's comments came as a direct response to statements O'Rourke made last week defending NFL players' on-field protests during the national anthem.

O'Rourke, asked at a town hall meeting if players' protests were disrespectful, replied that they were not and that he could think of nothing "more American than to peacefully" protest for a cause one feels strongly about, The Caller Times reported.

The attack from Cruz comes as O'Rourke continues to gain momentum in his quest to unseat the GOP senator.