While speaking for a rally in Alabama on Friday, Donald Trump criticized former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for protesting racism in the U.S. by kneeling as the National Anthem was sung during games, People reports. "Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, say, 'Get that son of a b*ch off the field right now. Out, you’re fired?'" he said. He then tweeted, "If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. ... If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!"

As an apparent response to these comments, seven Baltimore Ravens and 10 Jacksonville Jaguars kneeled during the National Anthem at a game in London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Other athletes, along with Jaguars owner Shad Khan, linked arms from both seated and standing positions.

Khan, who contributed $1 million to the Trump campaign, released a statement on Facebook explaining his decision. "It was a privilege to stand on the sidelines with the Jacksonville Jaguars today for the playing of the U.S. national anthem at Wembley Stadium," he said. "I met with our team captains prior to the game to express my support for them, all NFL players, and the league following the divisive and contentious remarks made by President Trump, and was honored to be arm in arm with them, their teammates and our coaches during our anthem. Our team and the National Football League reflects our nation, with diversity coming in many forms – race, faith, our views and our goals. We have a lot of work to do, and we can do it, but the comments by the President make it harder. That’s why it was important for us, and personally for me, to show the world that even if we may differ at times, we can and should be united in the effort to become better as people and a nation."

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti also supported the demonstration. "We recognize our players’ influence," he said in a statement to People. "We respect their demonstration and support them 100 percent. All voices need to be heard. That’s democracy in its highest form."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodman spoke out against Trump's comments as well. "Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game, and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities," he said in a statement on the NFL Communications website.

Owners of other teams including the New York Giants, the New England Patriots, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Miami Dolphins have also condemned Trump's remarks, according to CNN.

Even outside the sports world, people have been supporting the protest with the hashtag #TakeTheKnee, which has been trending on Twitter. Some are sharing photos of themselves kneeling to stand up for the athletes' right not to stand up.

Related: Why Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem Protest Has Spread

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