Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall hit President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE over his comments that NFL players who participate in kneeling protests “shouldn’t be in the country.”

“It’s disgusting,” Marshall told USA Today on Thursday. “It's disgusting because of our first amendment rights. We have freedom of speech, freedom to protest. So because guys protest something, we have to be kicked out the country? That's not how things should work.”

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Trump made the comment on Thursday during an interview with “Fox & Friends,” praising the NFL for its new rule prohibiting players from kneeling on the field during the national anthem.

“You have to stand proudly for the national anthem,” Trump said. “[Or] you shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there. Maybe they shouldn’t be in the country.”

The new rule, passed Wednesday, allows the NFL to fine teams whose players participate in on-field protests.

Trump repeatedly attacked NFL players and owners over the protests during the 2017 football season. The protests began as a way for players to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Marshall was one of the first players to join widespread demonstrations.

Marshall also expressed disappointment that team owners did not consult with players before making the change.

“Maybe [the owners] could see it from our side,” Marshall told USA Today. “Right now I think they just see it from a business standpoint, people boycotting or thinking they're going to lose money or whatever the case may be.”

“But as athletes, we cared about something different, and we would hope to bridge the gap, and hopefully come to some conclusion, or find some common ground,” he added. “But it just didn't happen.”